(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – An online fundraiser has been started following last week’s murder of a University of Illinois graduate at a German historical site.
Naperville’s Eva Liu, 21, was killed while hiking June 14 with her friend Kelsey Chang near Neuschwanstein castle in southern Germany. A Michigan man is being held by authorities after he allegedly lured the women to a trail before attacking one of the them and and throwing both of them down a ravine.
Chang survived, but Liu died at the hospital. Her sister, Alice Liu, says the family now hopes to raise money to help them deal with the costs associated with an international criminal case, in addition to funeral expenses and memorials.
Eva Liu planned to begin a job with Microsoft in Seattle, her sister wrote on the Go Fund Me page.
“She had an infectious smile and generous nature that brightened the mood of everyone that came in contact with her. Eva was a talented student, a kind and caring friend, and a lovely daughter. She had a bright future ahead that was unfairly taken away from her.”
Chang’s father said the 22-year-old woman remains traumatized by the attack.
“She’s pretty damaged by the incident,” Weihan Chang of Normal told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “It’s life-changing.”
Eva Liu was remembered during services Sunday at her family’s church, Living Water Evangelical Church in Naperville, where she was a member of the congregation’s Overflow Youth Group, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
A formal prayer service and funeral arrangements are pending the family’s return from Germany, a pastor told The Daily Herald.
Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli planned to hold a moment of silence at the beginning of the City Council meeting Tuesday night in honor and support of Liu and her family.
Eva Liu and Chang were both recent graduates of the University of Illinois. Liu earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Chang earned a degree in computer engineering. Liu and Chang were on a trip through Europe after their graduation last month. The pair also graduated together from the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora in 2019.
Contributing: Sun-Times Media Wire
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