A chilling scene unfolded in a Lewisham flat on March 20th, 2024, after a 999 call led police to the body of 31-year-old Zhe Wang. The victim, a creative writing student from China, suffered fatal stab wounds and compression to the neck. The man on the other end of that emergency call was Joshua Michals, a fellow student and the man now on trial for her murder.
Michals, a 26-year-old filmmaker from Chicago, maintains his innocence, claiming self-defense. He testified he put his forearm around Ms. Wang’s neck to restrain her during an alleged attack. But the prosecution paints a far darker picture, suggesting a violent outburst fueled by rage. Michals vehemently denies ever being angry during the incident.
The narrative took a disturbing turn as details emerged about Michals’ actions immediately following the fatal encounter. Before the ambulance arrived, he contacted his father and a solicitor, a sequence of events that raises questions about his state of mind and intent. He also disposed of Ms. Wang’s phone, tossing it into a bin outside her flat.
Investigators later recovered the phone from a refuse area in Newham, tracing its movements through cell-site data. A recycling plant worker briefly possessed the device, unable to unlock it before discarding it with her household waste. This frantic attempt to remove evidence adds another layer of complexity to the case.
The 999 call itself is a crucial piece of evidence. When asked by the operator if Ms. Wang was breathing, Michals responded with a chillingly detached, “I don’t think so.” He then directed emergency services to the flat, but also requested police be sent to his own address, offering a vague description of a “very serious incident.”
During the call, Michals’ composure seemed to unravel. He repeatedly urged the operator to “send the help” to Ms. Wang, then to “send the officer over for me.” The line abruptly went dead, prompting him to call his father before a paramedic reached out. In that second call, he confessed to being overwhelmed, exclaiming, “I don’t know how any of this works, it’s f too much.”
The scene awaiting first responders was grim. Photographs presented to the jury revealed Ms. Wang’s body on the floor, surrounded by blood. Michals was arrested and, when questioned about the situation, offered a cryptic response: “It’s not what it seems.” He later agreed he had been anxious to correct any misunderstandings.
Michals’ account centers on a moment of restraint that tragically went wrong. He claims he simply restrained her and she unexpectedly stopped breathing. When pressed why he didn’t initially tell police this version of events, he stated he had been advised to remain silent. This silence, the prosecution argues, speaks volumes.
The court has learned about Michals’ background – a life shaped by creative pursuits and a supportive family. He arrived in London to pursue a master’s degree in filmmaking, leaving behind a comfortable upbringing in Chicago. He met Ms. Wang on campus during enrollment, but friends were unaware of a romantic relationship.
Described by acquaintances as outgoing and talented, Michals presented a seemingly normal facade. Yet, beneath the surface, a series of events unfolded that culminated in a tragic loss. The trial continues, seeking to unravel the truth behind Zhe Wang’s death and the actions of the man accused of taking her life.
