Staff Report
A London court has handed down a life sentence to American student Joshua Michals for the murder of Zhe Wang, a Chinese national and fellow student at Goldsmiths, University of London. Michals, 26, received a minimum term of 16 years following the killing in March 2024. The court heard details of a relationship that ultimately led to Wang’s violent death.
The two master’s degree candidates initially met in 2023, developing what was described as a casual relationship. A sexual encounter in February 2024, however, preceded a significant escalation in tensions. Zhe Wang, 31, reportedly developed a rash afterward and became convinced she had contracted a sexually transmitted disease, a concern amplified by her self-described “germophobic” nature. She pressed Michals to undergo testing, a request he consistently refused. Judge Richard Marks, presiding over the case, noted Michals’ “unwillingness to do so showed a real lack of sensitivity.”
On March 20, 2024, Michals visited Wang’s residence, ostensibly to “calm her” down. Within the span of 50 minutes, the situation devolved into fatal violence. Michals stabbed and strangled Wang before leaving her. The judge concluded that Michals “became enraged by the whole situation,” delivering two stab wounds to her face in addition to strangulation. Justice Marks stated in court that Michals, “in a fury, lost complete control of your temper and senses.”
Michals offered a defense claiming self-defense, asserting that Wang had approached him with a knife. This account, however, was explicitly rejected by the judge, who stated he was “quite unable to accept” Michals’ version of events regarding the incident’s initiation. The court ultimately found Michals responsible for Wang’s death, rejecting his narrative.
Zhe Wang, a creative writing student, was remembered in court as a “gentle,” “positive,” and “talented writer.” Her family conveyed in a statement that her “great passions in life was languages,” and that pursuing her studies abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom, represented a “dream” for her. Her aspirations and life were tragically cut short. The sentencing marks the conclusion of the judicial proceedings in a case that brought a somber end to a young life with significant promise.
