CASTLE HORROR
US tourist, 21, killed as ‘sex fiend throws her into ravine along with pal who tried to fight him off at famous castle’
A US tourist was killed after a sex fiend reportedly threw her into a ravine at a famous attraction alongside her pal who tried to fight him off.
The two women, aged 21 and 22, were visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany, on Wednesday when they were attacked.
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Authorities say the pair were by the scenic Marienbrücke Bridge - a 300ft crossing over a gorge that offers a view of the popular castle - when they met a man.
The trio - all said to be from the US - are then understood to have taken a path to a viewpoint, where the man "physically attacked" the younger woman.
Police say her pal rushed over to help her, but the suspect allegedly strangled her before pushing her over the railing of the bridge into the ravine below.
He then allegedly throttled the 21-year-old woman and cops believe "an attempted sexual offence" was then committed.
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The victim was then shoved down the steep 160ft slope and fell next to her 22-year-old friend.
The suspect fled the scene as cops and mountain rescue teams raced to the area in a fleet of 25 emergency vehicles.
Cops later arrested a 30-year-old man after a huge operation. He remains in police custody in nearby Fuessen.
Footage from the castle appears to show the alleged attacker in handcuffs while another clip showed rescuers navigating the ravine as they tried to reach the women.
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One bystander claimed he had seen a "man with a bloodied face"; being led away by cops.
Both victims were rushed to hospital by air ambulance following the horror incident.
But prosecutors in nearby Kempten said Thursday that the 21-year-old woman died overnight.
The other victim was seriously injured and remains in hospital.
German tabloid claims the two victims and suspect are all from the US.
Chief Public Prosecutor Thomas Hörmann told the outlet: "The crime happened on Wednesday around 2.40pm.
"The two tourists met the man on a hiking tour east of the Marienbrücke. And joined him.
"He physically attacked the 21-year-old. The 22-year-old wanted to help, so he choked her and pushed her down the slope."
Police have launched an investigation into the murder and attempted murder of the tourists, as well as a sexual offence.
It is understood the bridge is open to tourists today despite the incident.
The motive for the attack remains unclear while the victims and the suspect have not currently been identified.
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Neuschwanstein Castle, which sits on a rock ledge, was built in the 19th century and boasts more than a million visitors a year.
Thanks to its elaborate design, it served as inspiration for the castle in Disney's 1995 film Sleeping Beauty.
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