A recent college graduate from Bloomington was injured and her friend was killed in an attack this week at a popular tourist site near a castle in Germany.
Kelsey Chang, 22, of Bloomington, was traveling with her friend, Eva Liu, 21, from Naperville. Authorities say they were attacked by a man near the Marienbruecke, a bridge over a gorge that offers a famous view of Neuschwanstein Castle at the foot of the Alps. The man (also an American tourist) apparently first attacked Liu in an “attempted sexual offense,” authorities said. Chang tried to intervene and was pushed down a steep slope, authorities said. Liu died after reportedly plunging 165 feet down the ravine. Chang survived her injuries.
The alleged attacker is now in custody. Chang and Liu had met the 30-year-old on a hiking trail, authorities said.
Chang and Liu graduated in May from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Chang earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering.
“Our University of Illinois family is mourning the senseless death of Ms. Liu and the attack on Ms. Chang,” U of I said in a statement, according to multiple media outlets. “Both had just graduated in May and should have been able to celebrate such an important accomplishment without the fear of such a tragic outcome. Our thoughts are with Ms. Chang as she recovers and with both of their families as they grieve.”
