German double-murderer celebrates homecoming after decades in US jail

Jens Soering maintains he admitted to the murders of his Canadian girlfriend’s parents in 1986 to spare her from being sentenced to death

The 53-year-old son of a diplomat was released on parole by officials in the state of Virginia and banned from ever returning to the United States

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Jens Soering, centre, celebrates with supporters after landing in Frankfurt. Photo: EPA

Published: 10:32pm, 17 Dec 2019Updated: 4:23am, 18 Dec 2019

A German man who has served 33 years in a US prison for a double murder arrived back in Germany on Tuesday, after receiving parole.

Officials in the state of Virginia allowed 53-year-old Jens Soering, the son of a diplomat, to be released on parole. He has been banned from returning to the United States.

In an emotional return to his home country, Soering was welcomed by friends who he said had backed him in his battle to be free.

“I’m so happy to be in Germany after 33 years in prison in the US,” he told journalists in a short statement at Frankfurt Airport.

Soering at Frankfurt Airport in Germany. Photo: EPA

Asking for some space to “settle back into my life”, Soering added that he would “need some time” away from the media spotlight.

Imprisoned in 1986, Soering was serving a life sentence after having been convicted of killing the parents of his girlfriend, Elizabeth Haysom, who herself was jailed for complicity in the murders.