An 81-year-old man has confessed to sexually assaulting and killing American tourist Amy Lopez over three decades ago during the start of his trial in Germany. According to reports from the German news agency dpa, the defendant admitted to these crimes, which occurred in 1994 in the western city of Koblenz.
Prosecutors have charged the man with “killing a person in a treacherous manner and for base motives to fulfill his sexual urges.” His defense lawyer, Volker Klein, confirmed the defendant’s admission to the court. When the presiding judge, Rupert Stehlin, asked about the confession, the man affirmed it, nodding and responding “yes.”
The crime dates back to September 26, 1994, when Amy Lopez was visiting Koblenz as a tourist. Prosecutors detail that the accused, then 49 years old, allegedly lured her under false pretenses to the secluded Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. It is reported that he handcuffed, sexually assaulted, and stabbed her nine times in the chest.
The victim suffered additional brutality. She was reportedly strangled with a belt during her attempt to fight back and was struck on the head with a stone. She was ultimately found dead by children who discovered her partially nude body, which had severe head injuries, as noted by local authorities.
This case remained unsolved until recent advancements in DNA testing techniques led to significant progress. Investigators re-analyzed Amy Lopez’s clothing and processed approximately 1,600 DNA samples. In 2024, about 30 years after the murder, authorities offered a €2,500 reward for tips following the discovery of a male DNA trace. Public interest increased when the case appeared on “Aktenzeichen XY,” a true crime program.
The defendant was arrested at a nursing home in the Koblenz area in late February and has since been in pretrial detention. The court has scheduled eight trial days with an expected verdict in September. During a trial recess, defense attorney Volker Klein made a statement at the regional court in Koblenz, Germany.