American Film Student Jailed for Life After Stabbing Girlfriend in Lewisham Flat
Roommate Row Turns Deadly
Joshua Michals, 26, a fellow Goldsmiths film student, has been locked up for life after fatally stabbing his girlfriend, Zhe Wang, 31, in her Lewisham flat. The horrific attack followed a bitter row sparked by Wang accusing Michals of passing her an STI.
The Old Bailey heard Michals “flew into a rage” during the confrontation. Wang was found with two fatal stab wounds.
Blame and Lies: Michals’ Failed Cover-Up
Michals claimed Wang was “germophobic” and insisted she attacked him first with a knife after getting distressed over a rash she believed was an STI. But the judge tore apart his story, slamming Michals for not calling emergency services right away.
“You were thinking only of yourself. If help had been called sooner, Ms Wang could have survived,” Judge Richard Marks KC said.
Life Sentence for Ruthless Killer
The judge detailed how Michals “lost complete control in a fury,” stabbing Wang twice in the face with a kitchen knife – one wound requiring “significant force.” Michals even called his dad and lawyer before finally ringing 999, having tried to hide evidence by binning Wang’s phone.
The device was later recovered from a Newham rubbish site.
Family Devastated, Speak Out
Wang’s cousin, Xiao Li Wang, joined the court via video link from China. She described their heartbreak and disbelief. “Nobody wanted to believe what we had been told; it felt like something you see in the movies,” she said.
She called Wang “positive, hardworking, passionate” and said the loss was “hard to comprehend.”
Relationship Drama Behind Closed Doors
The couple’s on-off relationship in 2023 was fraught. Michals admitted he was uneasy about Wang’s germophobia. After Wang found a red spot on her skin following sex, she insisted on an STI test and threatened to force Michals to his GP. He refused, sending her an old test result with crucial dates removed.
Jurors were told Michals never had an STI.
On March 20, 2024, Michals tried to patch things up with a charcuterie board – but the meeting ended in violence. He claimed Wang attacked him first, but the jury rejected this.
Judge Condemns Michals’ Selfishness and Deceit
Judge Marks branded Michals’ sending an old STI test as a “cruel and cynical lie.”
He confirmed scratches on Michals’ neck came from Wang fighting for her life.
“When she stopped moving, you said you believed she was dead but callously failed to check or call for help. Medical evidence suggests she was still alive and might be alive today if you had called emergency services immediately.”
Michals was found guilty of murder last month. His lawyer claimed remorse, but the judge said Michals never showed regret in court.
