An 81-year-old admits to 1994 killing of American tourist as trial opens in Germany

On Tuesday, an 81-year-old man opened his trial in Germany by admitting to the 1994 killing of an American tourist, Amy Lopez. According to German news agency dpa, the defendant confessed to sexually assaulting and murdering the 24-year-old while she was visiting Koblenz as a tourist. Prosecutor's accuse the defendant of luring Lopez to a secluded area of the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, where he allegedly handcuffed, sexually assaulted, and killed her with a total of nine knife wounds to her chest area.

He also strangled her with a belt and struck her head with a rock when she tried to defend herself. The crime took place on September 26, 1994, and the body was found by children playing nearby. The case remained unsolved for decades until investigators linked DNA found on the victim's body to the suspect, leading to his arrest in late February.

The defendant, whose name is protected under German privacy laws, has been in pretrial detention since his arrest. Eight trial days are scheduled, with a verdict expected in September.