HONOLULU (AP) — An attempted murder trial is wrapping up for anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig, who is accused of trying to kill his wife during a cliff-side hike in Hawaii. Closing arguments are expected Tuesday.
The proceedings started last month, nearly one year after Gerhardt and Arielle Konig went hiking on the Pali Puka trail in Honolulu, which took a violent turn. Gerhardt Konig has pleaded not guilty.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains references to domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the national domestic violence hotline: 1-800-799-7233 in the U.S.
The couple traveled to Hawaii for a birthday celebration in March 2025, while their two young sons stayed home on Maui. Prosecutors allege that during the hike, Gerhardt attempted to push Arielle off the trail, struck her head with a rock, and tried to stab her with a syringe due to his agitation over her alleged relationship with a coworker.
Testimony from the trial, which has been publicized via Court TV, revealed the couple’s marital conflicts. Gerhardt testified about finding evidence of an affair on Arielle’s phone, while she described how he allegedly forced her towards the cliff’s edge.
Arielle claimed that during the struggle, her husband held a syringe, and she fought back by biting him and defending herself against his advances. Contrarily, Gerhardt denied pushing her or brandishing a syringe, stating he acted in self-defense when she hit him with a rock.
Upon hearing Arielle’s screams, two bystanders assisted her in escaping the trail. Gerhardt testified that he contemplated suicide after the altercation but eventually called his adult son, claiming he “tried to kill your stepmom,” a statement he later refuted.
After hours of deliberation on the mountain, Gerhardt surrendered to the police. Meanwhile, Arielle has filed for divorce amidst the turmoil.
The proceedings started last month, nearly one year after Gerhardt and Arielle Konig went hiking on the Pali Puka trail in Honolulu, which took a violent turn. Gerhardt Konig has pleaded not guilty.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains references to domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the national domestic violence hotline: 1-800-799-7233 in the U.S.
The couple traveled to Hawaii for a birthday celebration in March 2025, while their two young sons stayed home on Maui. Prosecutors allege that during the hike, Gerhardt attempted to push Arielle off the trail, struck her head with a rock, and tried to stab her with a syringe due to his agitation over her alleged relationship with a coworker.
Testimony from the trial, which has been publicized via Court TV, revealed the couple’s marital conflicts. Gerhardt testified about finding evidence of an affair on Arielle’s phone, while she described how he allegedly forced her towards the cliff’s edge.
Arielle claimed that during the struggle, her husband held a syringe, and she fought back by biting him and defending herself against his advances. Contrarily, Gerhardt denied pushing her or brandishing a syringe, stating he acted in self-defense when she hit him with a rock.
Upon hearing Arielle’s screams, two bystanders assisted her in escaping the trail. Gerhardt testified that he contemplated suicide after the altercation but eventually called his adult son, claiming he “tried to kill your stepmom,” a statement he later refuted.
After hours of deliberation on the mountain, Gerhardt surrendered to the police. Meanwhile, Arielle has filed for divorce amidst the turmoil.
