A Chicago native faces sentencing in the United Kingdom following his conviction for the murder of a fellow student.

Joshua Michals, 26, was involved in a “casual relationship” with Zhe Wang, 31, a fellow student at Goldsmiths, University of London, in the months leading up to her tragic death in March 2024, according to a Metropolitan Police press release.

During the trial, Michals asserted that he acted in self-defense. However, the jury dismissed his claims, convicting him of murder in the fatal stabbing incident. The attack reportedly occurred after Wang repeatedly urged Michals to undergo testing for sexually transmitted diseases, authorities stated.

Detective Inspector Claire Guiver, who spearheaded the investigation, expressed satisfaction with the verdict. “We are pleased the jury has seen through his claims that he killed Zhe by accident when she tried to attack him with a knife,” she said in a statement released on December 8. “It is clear that Michals is a dangerous, violent individual, and he will now have to live with the consequences of his actions.”

Michals contacted UK authorities about a “serious incident” at Wang’s residence, but only after four hours had passed since he stabbed her twice in the face. A subsequent post-mortem examination also revealed that Wang had suffered neck compressions, according to the Metropolitan Police.

During his trial, it was revealed that Michals called his father and received legal guidance before he had called police, according to BBC reporting. 

Michals was arrested later that day, with authorities finding various items of bloodstained clothing on his property, which DNA testing later matched to Wang, police said.

“Michals carried out a brutal and savage attack on Zhe, who was described by her friends as a quiet and gentle woman enjoying her studies in London,” Guiver added in her post-verdict statement. “Our thoughts continue to remain with her family and friends, both in China and 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.”

Michals will be sentenced at a later date, per the BBC.