Bio

Jens Soering was born on August 1, 1966, in Bangkok, Thailand. He was the son of a German diplomat, which meant that his family moved often due to his father's job. When Jens was eleven years old, his family moved to the United States. They settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended an exclusive private school. Jens was a bright student and found success academically.

In 1984, he began studying at the University of Virginia. During his time there, he met a student named Elizabeth Haysom. She was charming and captivating, and Jens quickly fell in love with her. At this point, he was an 18-year-old honor student who struggled socially. He felt somewhat awkward and found it difficult to make friends.

Elizabeth was two years older than Jens and had a more adventurous past. She had faced challenges growing up, which made Jens feel drawn to her. Their relationship developed, but her parents did not approve of it. They worried about Jens's influence on their daughter.

Despite his academic achievements, Jens faced personal struggles. He felt insecure and had difficulty navigating social situations. However, he and Elizabeth became a couple, which led to a strong bond between them, despite the challenges they faced from their families.

As their relationship progressed, Jens began to feel pressure from external factors. Elizabeth expressed deep resentment toward her parents, who were strict and controlling. This tension would later play a significant role in their lives.

Murder Story

On March 30, 1985, Jens Soering committed a double murder in Boonsboro, Virginia. The victims were William Reginald Haysom and Nancy Astor Haysom, the parents of his girlfriend, Elizabeth Haysom. The couple had been opposed to their daughter's relationship with Soering. On the night of the murders, Jens attended dinner with the Haysoms at their home.

After the meal, he attacked both William and Nancy with a knife. They suffered multiple stab wounds, and both were found with their throats cut. Following the murders, Soering and Elizabeth fled to Europe. They were arrested in London on April 30, 1986, while attempting to commit check fraud.

After his arrest, Soering initially confessed to the murders during police interrogations. However, he later retracted his confession, claiming he had taken the blame to protect Elizabeth. Throughout the trial, Soering maintained his innocence, stating he was not present during the killings. Elizabeth testified against him, claiming he was the murderer.

Soering was extradited to the United States and faced trial for the murders. In 1990, he was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to two life terms in prison. Elizabeth Haysom pleaded guilty to being an accessory in the murders and received a lengthy prison sentence as well. Both remain incarcerated.