Herisch Ali Abdullah was born on November 23, 1979, in Iraq. He arrived in Germany in 2001 as an asylum seeker and worked various jobs, including as a cook. Abdullah faced financial difficulties, including gambling and rent debts. He was known to German authorities due to previous investigations related to sexual harassment and assault, during which he voluntarily provided a DNA sample.

On the night of January 13, 2005, Rudolph Moshammer encountered Abdullah near Munich's main train station. Moshammer allegedly offered Abdullah €2,000 for sexual services. They returned to Moshammer's villa in Grünwald, where an argument ensued over payment. During the altercation, Abdullah strangled Moshammer with an electrical cord.

Moshammer's chauffeur discovered his body the following morning. Abdullah was arrested two days later after DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene. During his trial, Abdullah confessed to the murder, stating that he acted out of anger when Moshammer refused to pay. ​

On November 20, 2005, Abdullah was convicted of murder and robbery resulting in death and was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 15 years before eligibility for parole.