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Chicago Student Found Guilty Of Murdering London Girlfriend After Stabbing And Choking; Called Father To Arrange Lawyer

06:37 AM, 12/09/2025
Chicago Student Found Guilty Of Murdering London Girlfriend After Stabbing And Choking; Called Father To Arrange Lawyer

Joshua Michals, 26, has been convicted of murdering his on-and-off girlfriend, 31-year-old Zhe Wang, after an attack at her London home in March 2024. Wang suffered two stab wounds to the face and sustained neck compression, according to a post-mortem. Investigators found months of messages about STIs on Michals' phone, and bloodstained clothing at his residence tested positive for Wang's DNA. Prosecutors say Michals called his father to arrange legal help and delayed contacting police for nearly four hours; Michals claimed self-defense but was found guilty.

Joshua Michals, a 26-year-old from Chicago studying at Goldsmiths University, has been found guilty of murdering his 31-year-old on-and-off girlfriend, Zhe Wang, following an attack at her London home in March 2024.

Incident and Arrest

Police were called to Wang's address after Michals phoned to report a "serious incident," telling officers he had already left the property. When officers arrived they discovered Wang with two stab wounds to her face. A post-mortem later determined she had suffered sustained neck compression.

Evidence and Prosecution Case

Investigators found months of text messages on Michals' phone showing repeated requests from Wang that he get tested for sexually transmitted infections — a dispute prosecutors say had become a growing source of tension between the couple. Prosecutors told jurors that Michals "flew into a rage" during a meeting at Wang's home and killed her.

After the killing, prosecutors say Michals called his father, obtained contact details for a lawyer, returned to his own residence and only contacted emergency services nearly four hours later. Officers searching his property discovered bloodstained clothing; DNA testing later confirmed the blood matched Wang.

Defense And Verdict

Michals was arrested the same night and declined to answer questions about their relationship or the events at the property. He later claimed he acted in self-defense during an argument about STIs. The jury rejected that defense and returned a guilty verdict for murder.

"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," said Detective Inspector Claire Guiver. "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."

No sentencing details were provided in the report.

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