American Goldsmiths student stabbed girlfriend to death in ‘savage’ attack ‘then called his father for a lawyer’
An American student at a London university has been found guilty of stabbing his on-and-off girlfriend to death in a “brutal and savage” attack.
Zhe Wang, a creative writing student at Goldsmiths, was found dead in his south-east London flat in March last year with two stab wounds to his face.
Prosecutor Henrietta Paget KC told the Old Bailey hearing that Joshua Michals killed Ms Wang after meeting her at her flat in Manor Park, Lewisham.
Michals called his father after the fatal stabbing and obtained details of a solicitor before going to his own flat and calling 999, the court heard.
A jury found Michals, 26, guilty of murder on Monday after 16 and a half hours of deliberations.
The pair met on the Goldsmiths campus and began an on-and-off casual relationship in 2023, the hearing heard.
Michals told jurors he felt “so so” about hooking up with Ms Wang, a 31-year-old Chinese national, because she was germophobic.
The court previously heard that the woman, who found a “red spot” on her skin after sexual intercourse, demanded that she be tested for STDs and even swore that she would find him on campus and “drag” him to a doctor.
The student said he went to her house on March 20, 2024, with his selection of deli items, to bring some “normalcy” to the “weird situation.”
He claimed that when he arrived at the flat, he found Ms Wang “cold” and monosyllabic, and attacked her with a knife as she left the bathroom.
In the autopsy examination performed at the hearing, it was determined that Ms. Wang died due to stab wounds to her head and pressure applied to her neck.
Michals had previously told jurors that he did not want to hit Ms Wang with the knife, saying: “I just wanted to push her away from me.”
The court heard Michals took Ms Wang’s phone from her kitchen and placed it in a bin outside. It was found days later in a landfill in Newham, east London.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Michals studied filmmaking at university before moving to London to study for a one-year master’s degree at Goldsmiths. He will be sentenced at a later date.
Met Police Detective Inspector Claire Guiver, who is investigating, said: “Michals carried out a savage and savage attack on Zhe, who was described by friends as a quiet and kind woman who enjoyed studying in London.
“Our thoughts remain with her family and friends both in China and in the UK. Our commitment to tackling violence against women and girls is unwavering and we will continue to do everything we can to make London a safer city.
“We are pleased that the jury understood his claims that he accidentally killed Zhe while trying to attack him with a knife. It is clear that Michals is a dangerous, violent individual and will now have to live with the consequences of his actions.”
The university paid tribute to Ms Wang following the verdict, regretting the loss of a “remarkable writer” whose work will be published in an upcoming Goldsmiths anthology.
Dr D., senior lecturer at Goldsmiths School of Mind, Body and Society. Francis Gilbert said: “We are devastated by the loss of Zhe Wang, a brilliant student, a remarkable writer, and a thinker who combined deep intellectual curiosity with creative courage and approached writing as a mindful practice.
“His work blended Buddhist thought, creative storytelling, and reflective clarity in a way that distinguished him as a unique and singular voice.
“He was preparing to publish his work and we will honor his intentions by including his writings in the upcoming Goldsmiths anthology.
“Zhe was cheerful, attentive and generous. He was deeply loved by his peers, who continue to speak of his kindness, sense of humor and thoughtful presence. He made our community kinder and more attentive.
“His classmates continue to mourn his loss and remember him with deep affection, remembering the warmth of his presence and the inspiration he so generously offered to others.
“We will always miss Zhe. His writings continue to enlighten our community, and his memory remains a source of tenderness, inspiration, and care at Goldsmiths.”
