A Chicago man studying in has been convicted of murdering his intermittent girlfriend, with prosecutors stating he stabbed and strangled her, then contacted his father to arrange legal representation before notifying police.
Joshua Michals, 26, entered into a casual relationship with 31-year-old Zhe Wang soon after enrolling at Goldsmiths University in 2023, according to on Monday.
In March 2024, Michals called authorities to report a “serious incident” at Wang’s residence, claiming he had departed the premises. Police discovered Wang with two facial stab wounds, and a subsequent autopsy revealed she had experienced prolonged neck compression.
Michals was taken into custody that evening but declined to respond to inquiries regarding their relationship or the events that transpired.
Detectives who analyzed his phone discovered months of messages where Wang persistently urged Michals to undergo STD testing—a “growing source of tension” between them, authorities reported. Michals subsequently alleged he acted in self-defense during an .
Prosecutors argued that Michals “flew into a rage” upon meeting Wang at her home and murdered her. They informed the court that Michals phoned his father following the killing, acquired a lawyer’s contact information, and went back to his own residence before reaching out to authorities almost four hours later.
At the time of Michals’ arrest, law enforcement stated, officers discovered blood-soaked clothing at his property. The to match Wang.
“Michals perpetrated a brutal and savage assault on Zhe, whom her friends described as a quiet and gentle woman who was enjoying her studies in London,” stated Detective Inspector Claire Guiver. “We are satisfied that the jury saw through his assertions that he killed Zhe accidentally when she allegedly attempted to attack him with a knife.”