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Alice Ku Missing Person Case

Last seen in Mountain View, California on Nov 30, 2019

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Victim Details

Mar 30, 2020

Mar 31, 2020

Alice

Ku

42

36

65 inches

110 lbs

Asian

Female

Nov 30, 2019

Mountain View

California

Santa Clara County

94043

No

80159

Mountain View Police Department

Mountain View

California

Santa Clara County

94041

Tim Loo

Community Services Officer

1000 Villa Street, California

6509036344

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/police/default.asp

19-08703

Dec 13, 2019

Mountain View Police Department

7734

Black

Brown

Brown

Oct 11, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP67671) and 6 other sources
Alice Ku, a 36-year-old tutor from Mountain View, California, disappeared under suspicious circumstances during a trip to Taiwan with her husband, Harald Herchen, in late November 2019. The couple arrived in Taiwan on November 23, 2019, supposedly for a business trip. Ku was last seen on November 29, when she was reportedly dropped off at a train station in Hualien by Herchen. She was supposed to visit her parents near Taipei, but she never arrived, and her family had no knowledge of her plans to visit.

Her disappearance raised significant concerns, especially when inconsistencies emerged in Herchen’s account of events. Investigators from Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau uncovered evidence suggesting that an email Herchen claimed to have received from Ku after she left was actually sent from the same location where he was staying. Taiwan authorities believe that Alice Ku was murdered on or before November 29, 2019, and they have identified Herchen as a suspect. Despite this, Ku’s body has never been found, and Herchen remains wanted for questioning regarding her disappearance.

Ku’s family, devastated by her disappearance, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Herchen in 2021. They have continued to seek justice and answers regarding what happened during that fateful trip to Taiwan.
Last Seen: Nov 30, 2019

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Disappeared without a trace: Alice Ku never returned from her 2019 ...
  • Alice Ku - Andrew Watters
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP67671
  • Alice Yafang Ku went missing... - Missing People In America
  • Help Finding a Missing Person - Alice Ku - Living in Taiwan
  • Crime Archives - Page 5 of 10 - Redwood City Pulse

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Stockton, California
    UP86252 • Found Jan 23, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 27–47 vs 36 when missing
    Location 88%53 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 months after last seen
    Height 84%4'10"–5'3" vs 5'5"
    Weight 100%90–110 lb vs 110 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Alice Ku, a 36-year-old tutor from Mountain View, California, vanished during a trip to Taiwan with... ...Read More
    07/20/2023

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