American Student Convicted of Murder After Stabbing Lover in London Over STD Dispute

Joshua Michal, a 26-year-old American student studying in the UK, has been found guilty of murdering his lover, Zhe Wang, a 31-year-old Chinese creative writing student at Goldsmiths, University of London. The verdict came after a trial at the Old Bailey where Michal was convicted for fatally stabbing Ms. Wang in the face during a dispute over a suspected sexually transmitted infection (STI).

The tragic incident occurred on March 20 last year at Ms. Wang’s flat in Manor Park, Lewisham, south-east London. A post-mortem examination revealed that she died from multiple stab wounds to the head and neck compression. Michal initially claimed self-defense, alleging that Ms. Wang, who was reportedly germophobic, attacked him with a knife when he came out of the bathroom. However, jurors rejected his argument after deliberating for over 16 hours.

According to court testimony, the couple met at Goldsmiths campus and had an on-and-off casual relationship. Following intimate contact, Ms. Wang became anxious about contracting an STI and insisted Michal undergo testing. Michal described her as “cold” and “stressed” throughout this time. He had brought a charcuterie board to her flat in an attempt to defuse the tension, but the situation escalated tragically.

After the stabbing, Michal called his father and sought legal assistance before contacting emergency services. He also discarded Ms. Wang’s phone, which was later recovered. Michal, who was studying filmmaking at the time, never tested positive for any sexually transmitted infections.

Goldsmiths paid tribute to Ms. Wang, honoring her as a gifted writer and thinker. Dr. Francis Gilbert, a senior lecturer at Goldsmiths, described her work as blending Buddhist thought with imaginative storytelling and praised her for her intellectual curiosity and creative courage. Her writing is set to be published posthumously in an upcoming university anthology. The university community mourns the loss of a student who was remembered for her kindness, humor, and thoughtful presence.

Michal will be sentenced at a later date for the murder conviction.