Where is Jens Soering Now? Is Jens Soering Still in Jail?
by Sangamithra
Updated Nov 03, 2023
Where is Jens Soering Now?
Jens Soering is currently living in Germany. He was involved in a high-profile murder case in the United States in 1985, where he and his then-girlfriend Elizabeth Haysom were convicted of murdering her parents, Derek and Nancy Haysom. Soering confessed to the murders at one point but later claimed he was innocent, saying he had stayed in Washington, D.C., while Haysom went back to Virginia to commit the murders.
The trial concluded with both Soering and Haysom being found guilty, with Soering receiving two life sentences and Haysom receiving a total of 90 years in prison. In November 2019, both Soering and Haysom were paroled and released from prison. Haysom was deported back to Canada and has kept a low profile since her release.
Soering, on the other hand, was deported to Germany, where he has been living since then. So, as of the information available in this article, Jens Soering is residing in Germany after his release from prison in the United States.
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Is Jens Soering Still in Jail?
No, Jens Soering is not in jail anymore. He was convicted for his involvement in the 1985 double murder of Derek and Nancy Haysom, the parents of his then-girlfriend, Elizabeth Haysom. Soering initially confessed to the murders but later pleaded not guilty, claiming he had confessed to protect Haysom. After being denied parole multiple times, he was eventually granted parole in 2019.
He served nearly three decades in prison before his release. Soering was deported to Germany and is not allowed to re-enter the United States or contact the victims' families, including Elizabeth Haysom. As of 2023, he maintains his innocence and is no longer in jail.
Who is Jens Soering?
Jens Soering is a German national born on August 1, 1966, in Bangkok, Thailand. He gained notoriety for his involvement in a 1985 double murder case in Virginia, United States. Soering was convicted of murdering the parents of his then-girlfriend, Elizabeth Haysom. The victims were Derek William Haysom and Nancy Astor Haysom, and the murders took place in Boonsboro, Bedford County, Virginia.
Soering and Elizabeth Haysom fled the United States shortly after the murders but were arrested in London in 1986. Soering's fight against extradition to the United States led to a significant ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, establishing that extradition is illegal if the accused faces the death penalty in the United States.
At his 1990 trial, Soering initially confessed to the murders during police interrogation but later pleaded not guilty, claiming he confessed to protect Haysom, believing he had diplomatic immunity. He was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. After years of legal appeals and denied parole requests, Soering was eventually granted parole in November 2019.
He was deported back to Germany and is barred from re-entering the United States. During his time in prison, Soering converted to Roman Catholicism and authored books about his life and religious beliefs, including "The Convict Christ," which received recognition from the Catholic Press Association of North America.
Jens Soering's Early Life
Jens Söring was born on August 1, 1966, in Bangkok, Thailand. His father, Klaus Söring, was a German diplomat. In 1977, Jens moved to the United States and completed his high school education at The Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1984. After high school, he pursued his education at the University of Virginia. It was at the University of Virginia that he met and began a relationship with another student named Elizabeth Haysom.
This relationship would later become a central part of his life, as the two of them became involved in a serious legal case related to a double murder. Jens Soering's early life took him from Thailand to the United States, where he started his education and began the relationship that would ultimately lead to his high-profile legal troubles.
Jens Soering’s Life in Prison
During his time in prison at the Buckingham Correctional Center in Dillwyn, Virginia, Jens Söring went through significant changes. He converted from Buddhism to Roman Catholicism and became an author.
Despite his conviction, he wrote several books and articles while incarcerated. In 1995, he penned "Mortal Thoughts," which he described as the autobiography of an innocent man imprisoned for a double murder. His work "The Convict Christ" received recognition, winning first prize from the Catholic Press Association of North America in the category of Social Concerns in 2007.
Söring's writings also covered topics such as prison reform and criminal justice. His books include,
"Mortal Thoughts" (1995) - Described as the autobiography of a young man imprisoned for a double murder he claimed he did not commit.
"The Way of the Prisoner: Breaking the Chains of Self Through Centering Prayer and Centering Practice" (2003) - Explores self-discovery and spiritual practices while in prison.
"An Expensive Way to Make Bad People Worse: An Essay On Prison Reform from an Insider's Perspective" (2004) - Discusses prison reform based on his insider perspective.
"The Convict Christ: What the Gospel Says About Criminal Justice" (2006) - Examines the intersection of Christianity and the criminal justice system.
"The Church of the Second Chance: A Faith-Based Approach to Prison Reform" (2008) - Advocates for a faith-based approach to reforming the prison system.
"One Day in the Life of 179212: Notes from an American Prison" (2012) - Offers insights into life in an American prison.
"A Far, Far Better Thing" (2017) - Co-authored with Bill Sizemore and includes a foreword by Martin Sheen.
"Son of the Promise" (2019) - This book is listed as available on Amazon, but specific details may vary.
Why Jens Soering Went to Jail?
Jens Soering went to jail because he was convicted of being involved in the double murder of Derek and Nancy Haysom, the parents of his then-girlfriend, Elizabeth Haysom. The murders occurred in 1985 in Bedford County, Virginia. Soering initially confessed to the murders, but later he claimed that his confession was false and made to protect Elizabeth Haysom.
Despite his change in stance, he was found guilty and sentenced to two life sentences for first-degree murder in 1990. Soering spent nearly three decades in prison before being granted parole in 2019. His release was based on various factors, including his youth at the time of the crime, his behavior in prison, and a determination that his release would not endanger public safety.
Jens Soering and Elizabeth Haysom Documentary
A documentary titled "Killing for Love" explores the case of Jens Söring and Elizabeth Haysom. It delves into the double murder of Elizabeth Haysom's parents, Derek and Nancy Haysom, in 1985, and the subsequent legal proceedings. Jens Söring, a German national, and Elizabeth Haysom were both convicted in the United States for their involvement in the murders.
The documentary presents various perspectives on the case, including interviews with Jens Söring and Elizabeth Haysom, as well as law enforcement officials, legal experts, and family members of the victims. "Killing for Love" examines the controversies and uncertainties surrounding the case, including questions about Söring's confession, the legal process, and the possibility of wrongful convictions. The documentary provides viewers with an in-depth look at this complex and high-profile criminal case.
Where is Jens Soering Now - FAQs
Jens Soering is currently living in Germany after being granted parole and deported from the United States in 2019.
No, Jens Soering is not in jail anymore. He was paroled in November 2019.
Jens Soering was initially convicted for his involvement in the double murder of Derek and Nancy Haysom, the parents of his then-girlfriend, Elizabeth Haysom.
Jens Soering's parole was granted based on factors such as his youth at the time of the crime, his behavior in prison, and a determination that his release would not pose a public safety risk.
Elizabeth Haysom pleaded guilty to two counts of accessory to murder in the case involving the murders of her parents.