Who Really Killed Meredith Kercher? Amanda Knox Associate Rudy Guede Still In Prison Over Murder Case

With the new Netflix documentary "Amanda Knox" streaming Friday, many may wonder what became of the murder suspects of British exchange student Meredith Kercher in 2007. Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted in Italy but were exonerated in March 2015 after a prolonged legal process.

But there was another suspect in the case, and he remains in prison. Rudy Guede, 29, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after his DNA was found in Kercher’s bedroom. Kercher, who was sharing an Italian cottage with Knox and two others, was found half naked in her bedroom with her throat slit.

On Nov. 7, 2007, Guede and Kercher arranged to meet up at her residence where the two kissed. Although he said that they did not have sexual intercourse, his DNA was found inside of her. Guede claimed that his stomach was upset and went to the bathroom. Guede told authorities that Kercher was murdered while he was in the bathroom and he did not know who killed her.

Guede first became a suspect after his bloody palm print was found at the scene. When police attempted to question him, it was discovered that the Ivory Coast native fled to Germany. He was then arrested for attempting to board a train without purchasing a ticket. Guede was later extradited back to Italy where he faced a murder sentence that was eventually reduced to 16 years after an appeal in Italy’s Supreme Court.

In May, Guede was granted a 36-hour temporary release from Mammagialla prison in Viterbo. At the time, Knox told the media, “I'm upset by the fact that Guede has never shown any remorse and hope that whoever granted him permission [to take temporary release] did so only as part of a social reintegration program."

Although Knox’s conviction has been overturned, the media continues to focus on her rather than the actual man who has a physical connection to the murder. Daily Mail journalist Nick Pisa stated in the Knox documentary that the Seattle native received more attention because “there was no interest in him."

Guede was born in Agouk , Ivory Coast on Dec. 26, 1986, at the age of five he moved to Italy with his father, CNN reported. Police reports stated, months prior to Kercher’s murder, Guede reportedly showed signs of mental illness, was very poor and participated in several home invasions.

Despite his conviction, Guede has continued to deny his involvement in the crime and has maintained his innocence. He will be eligible for parole in 2018.