American Student Found Guilty of Murdering Girlfriend After STD Test Dispute at London University

Joshua Michals has been found guilty of murdering his university classmate following a dispute over sexually transmitted diseases.

The 26-year-old American student killed 31-year-old Zhe Wang at her London apartment in March 2024. Forensic examination revealed that Wang suffered two stab wounds to her face and was strangled.

During his trial, Michals insisted he acted in self-defense. He told the court, "I just wanted to get her away from me," claiming he applied pressure to her neck only to restrain her, not to cause harm, according to BBC reports.

The pair began an intermittent casual relationship in 2023 after meeting at Goldsmiths University. Michals testified that he had reservations about the relationship because Wang had germophobia. The situation deteriorated when Wang noticed a "red dot" on her skin after intercourse and repeatedly pressured Michals to undergo STD testing, even threatening to publicly confront him on campus to force him to see a doctor.

On March 20, Michals visited Wang's residence bringing charcuterie as a peace offering. He alleged that she was "cold" and unresponsive, and that she attacked him with a knife when he exited the bathroom. However, prosecutor Henrietta Paget KC argued that Michals "flew into a rage" and killed Wang.

Law enforcement discovered deleted messages from Michals' phone, revealing months of conflict between the couple, primarily regarding the STD disagreement. The final message he sent to Wang that day simply read "here" at 19:17, according to Metropolitan Police records.

Wang's phone was subsequently found in an outdoor trash bin, and bloodstained clothing at Michals' home contained her DNA. He contacted his father and sought legal counsel before notifying police nearly four hours after the fatal incident.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Michals relocated to London to pursue a master's degree in filmmaking at Goldsmiths University. His sentencing will take place at a future date.

Detective Inspector Claire Guiver stated, "Michals carried out a brutal and savage attack on Zhe, who was described by her friends as a quiet and gentle woman enjoying her studies in London...We are pleased the jury has seen through his claims that he killed Zhe by accident when she tried to attack him with a knife. It is clear that Michals is a dangerous, violent individual, and he will now have to live with the consequences of his actions."