SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A jury has awarded over $23 million to the family of Alice Ku, a Mountain View woman who vanished during a trip to Taiwan with her husband nearly six years ago. The decision highlights the ongoing legal and emotional struggles faced by her loved ones in seeking justice and accountability.
Alice Ku, who went missing in November 2019, was reportedly last seen with her husband, Harald Herchen, 66, a Canadian citizen. Herchen has been considered a suspect in her disappearance and currently has an outstanding arrest warrant in Taiwan. According to court records, the couple had been married since 2017, a fact that was unknown to her family at the time of her disappearance.
In 2021, Ku’s parents initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against Herchen, claiming he planned the trip to Taiwan with the intent to harm her and subsequently concealed her death from those close to her. The jury’s verdict, delivered on July 18, 2023, was described by the family’s attorney, Todd Davis, as a recognition of the value of Ku’s life, though he cautioned that it does not bring her back.
Earlier in 2023, a Santa Clara County judge ruled that Ku died in Taroko National Park on November 29, 2019. The cause of her death remains unknown, and her body has not been recovered. An investigative report indicated that her family only became aware of her disappearance after a student mentioned Ku’s absence from classes, an unusual occurrence for her.
Herchen’s claims have raised several inconsistencies. He alleged that he had left Ku at a train station for a visit with her parents, but tracking data reportedly contradicted his story. Additionally, he sustained a wrist injury on the same day that Ku went missing, providing conflicting accounts of the incident.
Charles Smith, Herchen’s attorney, expressed disappointment over the jury’s decision and maintained that his client is innocent. He argued that the jury awarded a large sum reflective of a relationship that he claimed was distant. Smith noted that Herchen may consider appealing the decision and could potentially request a reduction in the awarded amount.
Further complicating the situation, it is unlikely that Herchen will face criminal charges in the U.S. for Ku’s disappearance. According to Andrew Watters, an investigator and attorney representing Ku’s family, the U.S. legal system lacks jurisdiction over the case, as Herchen is a Canadian citizen. Moreover, the lack of an extradition treaty between the U.S. and Taiwan means that Herchen cannot be compelled to return to Taiwan for questioning.
As the case continues to unfold, Ku’s family remains in a protracted battle for both justice and closure, following the tragic loss of their daughter. The judicial proceedings may shed light on the complexities involved in international cases of missing persons and wrongful death claims.
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