Berlin: The two women were allegedly pushed down a steep slope by an American man, who has been detained in connection with the death of one US tourist and the assault of another near the Neuschwanstein castle in southern Germany, authorities said on Thursday.
The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon close to the Marienbruecke, a bridge that spans a gorge close to the castle and provides a well-known view of Neuschwanstein.
Police said in a statement that the 30-year-old man lured the two female tourists, who were 21 and 22, onto a trail that leads to a viewpoint.
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According to police spokesman Holger Stabik, "the suspect attacked the younger of the two women." The older child attempted to run to her aid but was stymied by the suspect, who then choked her before pushing her down a slope.
The attacker then appears to have made an attempt at sexual assault before pushing the 21-year-old down the slope as well. She dropped almost 50 metres, landing next to her friend.
Both women were rescued by a mountain rescue team. According to police, the 21-year-old with serious injuries was transported by helicopter to a different hospital where she passed away the following day while the 22-year-old was "responsive" and taken to a hospital.
Though the suspect fled the scene, he was quickly taken into custody close by. Police were seen leading a handcuffed man wearing a T-shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap away in bystander video that was posted online.
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"He made no sound at all. He didn't mumble or open his mouth, Abneri said. He simply strolled alongside the law enforcement officers.
According to Abneri, he and his friends arrived at the picturesque overlook just as a helicopter arrived, and they witnessed rescuers descend to the victims. "I'm genuinely astonished that anyone is still alive after this. He described it as "falling off the edge of an absolute cliff."
Abneri said it was "a very, very difficult rescue because of those cliffs and because the helicopter came mere feet above the tree line at the top of the hill."
They did a fantastic job, he said. Police described the man they detained as an American and a tourist, while prosecutors claimed the women were fellow US citizens. Prosecutors say the 22-year-old was still hospitalised on Thursday.
Authorities withheld the identities of the victims and the suspect as well as any additional information.
According to police, a judge in the nearby Kempten ordered the suspect held in custody on Thursday pending a potential indictment, a procedure that can take months. On suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and a sexual offence, he is being looked into.
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Police urged any witnesses to come forward and said they and the prosecution were concentrating on trying to piece together exactly what happened. One of the most visited tourist destinations in Germany is Neuschwanstein, which is situated in southern Bavaria not far from the Austrian border.
The most well-known of the castles King Ludwig II of Bavaria constructed during the 19th century is this one. Although construction began in 1869, it was never finished. Ludwig expired