The body of Meredith Kercher was discovered by Italian police at the cottage that she shared with other students in Perugia on November 2, 2007. The 21-year-old British student, who was part of a university exchange programme, was found lying partially clothed under a duvet in her bedroom. Her windpipe had been crushed and throat partially slashed.

On November 6, 2007, police arrested two suspects, Amanda Knox, and Knox's boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito. That day, an employer of Knox was also arrested after Knox implicated him in the crime. He was later released and exonerated after it was confirmed that he had no connection to the crime.

On November 20, Rudy Hermann Guede was arrested in Germany. A warrant had been issued for his arrest on the basis of DNA and fingerprint evidence found on the victim's body. Guede had fled to Germany following the murder. On December 6, he was extradited back to Italy. The three suspects were held in custody in Perugia and were charged with murder, sexual assault and theft.