San Jose, California — A jury awarded $23.6 million to the parents of Alice Ku, a Mountain View tutor who was allegedly killed by her husband during a trip to Taiwan. The verdict was rendered on Friday after a two-week trial that focused on the circumstances surrounding Ku’s disappearance in November 2019 while visiting Taroko National Park.
Harald Herchen, 66, listened stoically as the verdict was read, igniting an emotional response from Ku’s grieving family in the courtroom. “I’m just overcome with emotions. I’m glad that after five and a half years, justice is finally served,” said her brother, George Ku, following the decision.
The jury deliberated for about two hours, drawing on two weeks of testimony that included accounts from Herchen, Ku’s family, and experts from various fields. The trial explored Ku’s early life, her relationship with Herchen, and the events leading to her disappearance after the couple’s visit to the park.
Jurors expressed concerns about the authenticity of Herchen’s emotional responses, noting that his behavior did not align with that of someone who had just lost a spouse. They also found inconsistencies in his account of their last moments together, including perplexing details about carrying three phones and using a bicycle pump to inflate a car tire.
Evidence presented by Ku’s family included cellphone records and expert testimony indicating that Herchen’s version of events was unsubstantiated. Detective Li Tsong Su testified that phone data showed the couple returned to their hotel, rather than stopping at a train station as Herchen claimed. An email sent from Ku’s account after her disappearance further complicated Herchen’s narrative, as it was traced back to the hotel’s Wi-Fi network.
The trial also scrutinized Herchen’s injury—a broken hand sustained during the trip. Herchen offered multiple explanations for the injury, ranging from a wrestling match to a mishap with a bookshelf, but his lack of consistency raised suspicions among jurors. Medical testimony indicated the fracture was consistent with a punch, which further undermined his credibility.
In closing arguments, attorney Todd Davis, representing Ku’s parents in their wrongful death claim, emphasized the family’s determination to seek justice. Davis highlighted three key pieces of evidence that he argued pointed to Herchen’s culpability. “He thought he got away with it,” Davis stated, referring to Herchen’s initial belief that he could escape accountability.
In contrast, Herchen’s attorney, Chuck Smith, argued that there was no motive for Herchen to harm Ku, depicting their relationship as meaningful and full of shared experiences. He suggested that the lack of communication between Ku and her family during their travels implied a different narrative than that presented by the prosecution.
The jury did not hear about Ku’s past, which reportedly included work as an escort. This detail, while not part of the wrongful death claim, was noted as significant by both Davis and Smith. Ultimately, the jury was tasked with determining whether Herchen’s actions significantly contributed to Ku’s death, working with instructions to consider “reasonable amounts based on evidence and common sense.”
Ku’s family, now grappling with their loss, will pursue the financial judgment against Herchen, who works as an investor and reportedly owns multiple properties in the area. As they reflect on the outcome of the trial, investigator Andrew Watters summarized the situation: “There are no winners here. Alice is gone, and she’s not coming back. But at least the family has some closure now.”
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