Wealthy American student who stabbed his girlfriend after she wrongly believed he had given her an STI is found guilty of murder

The Tragic Case of Joshua Michals and Zhe Wang

The conviction of Joshua Michals, a wealthy American student, for the murder of his girlfriend Zhe Wang has sent shockwaves through both the academic and wider community.

The case, tried at the Old Bailey in London, is a chilling reminder of how obsession, mistrust, and rage can culminate in devastating violence.

Zhe Wang, a 31-year-old postgraduate student at Goldsmiths, University of London, was described by her tutors as a talented writer, organized, and deeply committed to her studies. She had aspirations of completing a PhD and returning to China to teach.

Her relationship with Michals, a 26-year-old filmmaking student from Chicago, began innocently enough when they met while collecting student ID cards.

However, the relationship quickly became strained due to Wang’s extreme concerns about cleanliness and infections.

The couple had been intimate only once, in February 2024, after Wang insisted on seeing Michals’ STI test results. Following the encounter, she developed a rash and became convinced he had infected her. Her fears escalated to the point where she demanded repeated tests and threatened to involve the university. Michals, who admitted he was not seeking a serious relationship, grew increasingly frustrated with her demands.

On March 20, 2024, Michals visited Wang’s flat in Hither Green, southeast London, bringing food in an attempt to console her. Instead, a heated argument erupted. In what prosecutors described as a “brutal and savage attack,” Michals stabbed Wang twice in the face and strangled her. He later claimed he acted in self-defense after she allegedly came at him with a knife, but the jury rejected this narrative.

Evidence showed he delayed calling emergency services, spoke to his father and solicitors first, and even disposed of incriminating items in a bin bag before contacting authorities.

The trial revealed disturbing details: Wang was found face up in her bedroom, lying in a pool of blood, and survived for up to an hour after the attack. Michals’ parents, who privately funded his defense, watched in anguish as their son was convicted.

The judge has yet to set a sentencing date, but the gravity of the crime leaves little doubt that Michals will face a lengthy prison term.

This case underscores the tragic consequences of untreated psychological distress and toxic relationship dynamics.

Wang’s fixation on infection and Michals’ dismissive attitude toward her fears created a volatile environment that spiraled into violence. It also highlights the importance of early intervention in relationships where mental health struggles and mismatched expectations collide.

The murder of Zhe Wang is not just a story of one man’s rage but a broader cautionary tale about the dangers of neglecting emotional wellbeing and communication.

For the academic community, it is a sobering reminder that behind the pursuit of knowledge, students often grapple with personal battles that, if left unchecked, can end in tragedy.