The fatal stabbing of 31-year-old Chinese national and creative writing student Zhe Wang by fellow Goldsmiths student Joshua Michals has shaken the academic community and prompted widespread scrutiny of the events that unfolded on 20 March 2024 in south-east London.
The case, which concluded with a murder conviction following a detailed trial at the Old Bailey, revealed a volatile relationship between the two students and a series of actions by Michals that prosecutors argued demonstrated both intent and attempts to conceal crucial evidence.
The tragedy has left the Goldsmiths community reeling, with staff, students and colleagues paying heartfelt tribute to Wang’s contributions as a writer and scholar. As the court prepares for sentencing, public attention remains fixed on the disturbing details of the case and the enduring impact of Wang’s life and work.
Background of the Relationship and Events Leading to the Killing
Zhe Wang and Joshua Michals first met on the Goldsmiths, University of London campus in 2023, where both were undertaking postgraduate programmes. Wang, a 31-year-old creative writing student, had relocated to London to further her academic and literary ambitions. Known among peers for her thoughtful presence and distinctive writing voice, she quickly became a valued member of the university’s creative community.
Michals, originally from Chicago, Illinois, had arrived in London to complete a year-long master’s degree in filmmaking. The two began what was described in court as an on-and-off casual relationship, marked at times by friction and disagreements. The prosecution detailed how tensions escalated in the months preceding Wang’s death. Michals told jurors he had been discouraged by what he perceived as Wang’s anxiety and germ-related phobias. One particular incident, in which Wang reportedly detected a mark on her skin after they had been intimate and demanded he undergo an STD test, was highlighted during the trial.
Michals claimed she had insisted she would confront him on campus and “drag” him to a doctor if necessary. While the defence argued that these interactions caused distress and confusion for Michals, the prosecution maintained that the conflict did not justify or explain the violence that later occurred. On 20 March 2024, Michals travelled to Wang’s flat in Manor Park, Lewisham, bringing what he described as a charcuterie selection in an attempt to introduce normality into what he called an increasingly strained dynamic.
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Once there, he claimed that Wang was unusually “cold” and monosyllabic. According to his testimony, after he stepped out of the bathroom, Wang allegedly attacked him with a knife, leading him to act in self-defence. The prosecution, however, asserted that this account was implausible and unsupported by forensic evidence. They argued that Michals had instead “flown into a rage” before fatally stabbing Wang, delivering two deep wounds to her face and exerting compression to her neck.
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A post-mortem examination confirmed that Wang died from injuries consistent with deliberate and forceful stabbing, accompanied by significant pressure applied to the neck. No indications supported Michals’ account of being assaulted first, and prosecutors stressed that the physical evidence contradicted any scenario aligning with self-defence or accidental harm. Far from a momentary struggle, they described the killing as a violent attack prompted by anger rather than fear.
Actions Taken After the Killing and Court Proceedings
Following the stabbing, Michals left Wang’s flat and made a series of decisions closely examined during the course of the trial. Rather than immediately contacting emergency services, he first called his father in the United States. During this call, he sought assistance in obtaining contact details for a solicitor. The prosecution argued that this demonstrated a level of presence of mind inconsistent with panic or disorientation and suggested an intention to manage the legal consequences of his actions. After securing the solicitor’s details, he travelled to his own flat before eventually dialling 999.
An additional element scrutinised by the court was Michals’ removal of Wang’s mobile phone from her kitchen. Instead of leaving it in the property, he took it outside and disposed of it in a bin near a refuse area in Newham. Jurors were told that the phone was located several days later. The prosecution suggested that this act indicated an attempt to eliminate potential evidence, particularly communications or personal notes that could have shed light on what happened prior to the killing.
Michals did not provide a clear explanation for why he removed the phone, and prosecutors argued that his behaviour reflected consciousness of guilt. When testifying, Michals maintained that he had only wanted to distance Wang from him during the alleged altercation, stating, “I just wanted to get her away from me.”
He insisted he had not intended to strike her with the knife and believed he was defending himself from an attack. The defence attempted to paint the picture of a relationship marked by emotional volatility and stress for both parties. However, after 16-and-a-half hours of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict for murder. The length and depth of the deliberations indicated the complexity of the case, yet the jurors ultimately found the prosecution’s narrative more compelling.
The court is expected to issue sentencing at a later date, and Michals’ conviction places him among a growing number of young perpetrators involved in violent domestic incidents within university communities. The case has reignited discussions around support systems for international students, relationship violence among young adults, and the responsibilities of institutions in identifying and addressing escalating conflicts between students.
Tributes from Goldsmiths and the Legacy of Zhe Wang
In the days following the verdict, Goldsmiths, University of London issued a detailed and deeply emotional tribute to Zhe Wang, emphasising both her academic contributions and the profound personal impact she had on her peers and lecturers. Dr Francis Gilbert, senior lecturer in the School of Mind, Body and Society, described Wang as “a wonderful student, a remarkable writer and a thinker who combined deep intellectual curiosity with creative courage.” Her work, he noted, blended Buddhist philosophy with imaginative and reflective storytelling, establishing a voice that stood apart for its clarity, compassion and originality.
Wang had been preparing to publish her writing prior to her death. In honour of her work, Goldsmiths announced that her pieces would be included posthumously in an upcoming university anthology. This decision reflects both the esteem in which she was held and the commitment of the institution to preserving her literary legacy. Staff members highlighted that her writing was not only academically impressive but also spiritually resonant, often exploring themes of mindfulness, empathy and the search for gentle guidance in a complex world.
Colleagues and classmates recalled Wang as joyful, mindful and generous—qualities that manifested in her interactions within seminar rooms and creative workshops. Her peers reportedly spoke frequently of her humility, warmth and quiet humour. Many expressed that she brought an atmosphere of kindness into their shared academic spaces, encouraging collaboration and thoughtful engagement. In the weeks after her death, students continued to gather informally to remember her, sharing prints of her poems and discussing the influence she had on their own creative practices.
In the tribute, Dr Gilbert referenced one of Wang’s poems, “Ode To A Foolish Bee,” describing it as emblematic of her ability to combine gentle insight with subtle humour. The excerpt highlighted the tension between struggle and liberation, reflecting Wang’s characteristic approach to writing: guiding without harming, illuminating without overwhelming. The poem’s imagery resonated deeply with those who knew her, becoming a symbol of the sensitivity and grace she brought to her work.
The tribute also extended sympathies to Wang’s family, acknowledging the depth of their grief and the intensity with which they had mourned her loss. Her family, who were not based in the UK, faced the additional hardship of managing their bereavement from abroad and navigating complex legal and procedural challenges throughout the proceedings. Goldsmiths reaffirmed its commitment to supporting them and honouring Wang’s memory within the university community.
The conviction of Joshua Michals has brought a measure of legal resolution, but it has not diminished the sorrow felt by those who shared academic and creative spaces with Zhe Wang. Her death has prompted reflections on the fragility of community bonds and the importance of safeguarding student wellbeing. As her writing is prepared for publication, her peers and mentors continue to engage with the depth and tenderness of her work, ensuring that her voice endures despite the violence that claimed her life.
Michals, of Deals Gateway in south-east London, is expected to face sentencing in due course. The case remains a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of interpersonal conflict and the lasting impact of a life cut short within a community built around creativity, scholarship and collaboration.