An American man today admitted to charges of murder and rape after he allegedly pushed two U.S. tourists down a ravine, fatally injuring one of them near Germany’s ‘Cinderella’ castle last year.

Troy Bohling, 31, admitted to the charges during the start of his trial in Germany, the news agency dpa reported.

The defendant was charged with murder, rape with fatal consequences, attempted murder and possession of child pornography. 

The attack happened on June 14 last year near the Marienbruecke, a bridge over a gorge close to the castle that offers a view of Neuschwanstein castle, one of Germany’s most famous tourist attractions.

Prosecutors say the defendant met by chance the two female tourists, Eva Liu and Kelsey Chang, aged 21 and 22, on a hiking path and lured them off the trail. They said in a statement that he apparently first forced the Liu to the ground and tried to undress her. 

Pictured: Troy Bohling and his sister. Bohling admitted to the charges during the start of his trial, the German news agency dpa reported

Bohling has been charged with the murder of 21-year-old Eva Liu (left). He is also charged with the attempted murder of her 22-year-old friend Kelsey Chang (right)

Built in the 19th century by King Lugwig II, Neuschwanstein castle is one of the most visited sites in Germany, attracting over a million visitors a year

Bohling is led into the courtroom at the regional court in Kempten, Southern Germany, on February 19

The attack happened on June 14 last year near the Marienbruecke, a bridge over a gorge close to the castle that offers a view of Neuschwanstein castle

When Chang tried to help her, a scuffle ensued and the suspect allegedly pushed her down a steep slope. She fell about 165 feet and sustained a head injury, bruises and grazes but survived.

The suspect, from Lincoln Park, Michigan, then allegedly strangled Liu until she was unconscious and raped her, prosecutors said, before pushing her down the slope as well.

When mountain rescue workers found the two women, Chang was injured but able to talk.

The rape victim was seriously injured and taken by helicopter to hospital, where she died later that night as a result of her injuries.

Prosecutors said they secured a laptop and cellphones from the suspect containing child sexual abuse material.

Prosecutors say Bohling met by chance the two female tourists, Eva Liu and Kelsey Chang, aged 21 and 22, on a hiking path and lured them off the trail

Authorities say the women didn’t know the man before they met near Neuschwanstein. The suspect was arrested shortly after the attack.

Defendants in the German legal system do not formally enter pleas to charges.

‘The defendant has committed an unfathomable crime,’ defense lawyer Philip Mueller said in a statement. The defendant, whose name hasn’t been released in line with German privacy rules, confirmed that his lawyer’s statement was correct but did not answer any questions.

Liu, from Naperville, Illinois and Chang, from Bloomington, Illinois, were on a European trip of a lifetime, having graduated University of Illinois.

The two recent American graduates had met Bohling as they visited the Neuschwanstein castle.

Other tourists witnessed the assault and later filmed Bohling as he was led away in handcuffs by police.

Bohling photographed and filmed key scenes of the crime, German daily Bild reports.

The rescue operation and his subsequent arrest took place in front of hundreds of tourists, according to the publication.

A verdict is expected to be announced in mid-March at the earliest.