Motion Filed to Block ‘Prior Wife’ Claims in Mountain View Woman’s Disappearance case
Los Altos resident, Harald Herchen, 66, is fighting to keep details of his past marriage out of the upcoming civil trial concerning his current wife, Alice Ku, who disappeared in Taiwan in 2019. Herchen is accused of bringing Ku to Taiwan, where she disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
The legal motion aims to prevent Ku’s family from suggesting Herchen was also responsible for the death of his previous wife.
Herchen’s Defense: “no Place for Conjecture”
attorney Chuck Smith,representing Herchen,asserted in a motion filed last Thursday that “There is no place in trial for innuendo,conjecture or rumor.” The trial revolves around the disappearance of Alice Ku, a former escort and tutor who vanished on Nov. 29, 2019, while sightseeing at Taroko Gorge in Taiwan.
Ku’s family has pursued legal action, suspecting foul play in Alice Ku’s disappearance and questioning the circumstances surrounding the death of Herchen’s previous wife.
taiwanese Police Investigate as Homicide
Li Tsong Su, a detective with Taiwan’s National Police Agency, is treating Ku’s disappearance as a homicide. Su stated that a warrant has been issued for Herchen’s arrest, citing “suspicious behavior, failure to cooperate, and the conflicting information he conveyed to the Ku family.”
Herchen, however, maintains Ku is alive and alleges she ran off with their driver to resume her former life as an escort, wishing to conceal this from her family. He claims their marriage was happy and her disappearance has caused him great emotional distress.
Details of Their Relationship
Herchen stated he met Ku online around 2013 or 2014 and hired her as an escort for $400. They later married on Oct. 6, 2017, without Ku informing her family of the marriage or her living arrangement with Herchen in Mountain View.
herchen worked as an inventor and engineer at Bloom Energy, while Ku operated a tutoring business, reportedly earning $140,000 annually. At the time of her disappearance, Ku was 37 years old; she woudl now be 42.
Questions Surround Prior Death
Ku’s family attorney, Andrew Watters, contends the autopsy report of Herchen’s second wife, Melissa Yu, who died in 2017 from sleep apnea, revealed “several unexplained injuries on her body.” Neighbors reportedly suspect Herchen was involved in her death.
Yu was 54 when she died in Los Altos on June 3,2017. Herchen and Ku married just four months later.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
In January 2021, Ku’s brother and parents filed a lawsuit against Herchen in Santa Clara County superior Court, alleging wrongful death, negligence, and impersonation. They claim Herchen sent an email from Ku’s account after her disappearance to give the impression she was alive and visiting her parents.
Judge Socrates Manoukian, on March 6, 2024, acknowledged the Taiwanese police’s assessment that Ku is deceased.
The two-week trial is slated to commence on July 7.
Case Summary
| Person | Role | key Information |
|---|---|---|
| Harald Herchen | Defendant | Accused of involvement in Alice Ku’s disappearance; seeks to block ‘prior wife’ claims. |
| Alice Ku | Victim | Disappeared in Taiwan in 2019; presumed dead by Taiwanese authorities. |
| Melissa Yu | Deceased | Herchen’s second wife; her death is subject of scrutiny due to unexplained injuries. |
| Li Tsong Su | Detective | Investigating Ku’s disappearance as a homicide; issued warrant for Herchen. |
Understanding International Disappearance Cases
The disappearance of Alice Ku highlights the complexities of international investigations, especially when involving different legal systems. Interpol plays a crucial role in coordinating such cases across borders.
Pro Tip: When traveling internationally, always share your itinerary with family or friends and maintain regular contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you think about the complexities of international legal cases? Share your thoughts and comments below.
