Hawaii Doctor Accused of Attempted Murder After Cliff Attack on Wife

Anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig claims self-defense after wife's testimony of brutal assault on Oahu hiking trail

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a bloodied rock, capturing the stark, gritty aftermath of a violent incident in a dramatic, investigative style.A brutal attack on a Hawaii hiking trail exposes the violent consequences of domestic conflict.Honolulu Today

A Maui doctor accused of trying to kill his wife on an Oahu cliffside trail took the stand in his own defense this week after his son and wife testified against him and jurors were shown body camera footage from the aftermath of the attack. Anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig, 47, was charged with second-degree attempted murder in the March 2025 attack on his wife, nuclear engineer Arielle Konig, 37, along a hiking trail near the Nuuanu Pali Lookout on Oahu.

Why it matters

The case has drawn attention to the complex dynamics of domestic violence and the challenges of proving intent in attempted murder cases, especially when the alleged victim and perpetrator offer conflicting accounts of what happened.

The details

Prosecutors allege Konig attacked his wife on the trail, tried to push her off the edge, attempted to inject her with a syringe, and struck her in the head with a rock. Konig testified the argument began when his wife raised future work travel involving a co-worker, and that she shoved him and struck him with a rock first. He acknowledged there was 'a lot of blood' but denied having a syringe. Arielle Konig gave a sharply different account, testifying that Konig suddenly grabbed her 'forcefully' and pushed her toward the cliff, and that he held a syringe which she knocked out of his hand.

  • In March 2025, the alleged attack took place on a hiking trail near the Nuuanu Pali Lookout on Oahu.
  • On Tuesday, Gerhardt Konig's son Emile Konig testified about receiving calls from his father on the morning of the attack.
  • On Wednesday and Thursday, Gerhardt Konig took the stand in his own defense.

The players

Gerhardt Konig

A 47-year-old anesthesiologist from Maui, Hawaii, accused of attempting to murder his wife.

Arielle Konig

Gerhardt Konig's 37-year-old wife, a nuclear engineer, who testified about the brutal attack on the hiking trail.

Emile Konig

Gerhardt Konig's son from a previous relationship, who testified about receiving calls from his father on the morning of the alleged attack.

Sarah Buchsbaum

A registered nurse who, along with Amanda Morris, came upon the scene and called 911 after hearing Arielle Konig's cries for help.

Amanda Morris

A registered nurse who, along with Sarah Buchsbaum, came upon the scene and called 911 after hearing Arielle Konig's cries for help.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I was screaming … 'Please help, he's trying to kill me,'”

— Arielle Konig

“There's a man trying to kill her … she's covered in blood.”

— Sarah Buchsbaum, Registered Nurse

“I felt horrified about what I did to her, caused this to her. I had resorted to violence against my wife, the person I love the most in the world.”

— Gerhardt Konig

What’s next

The trial is ongoing, and a verdict is expected in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities of domestic violence cases, where the accounts of the alleged victim and perpetrator can sharply conflict. It also raises questions about the role of mental health, infidelity, and relationship dynamics in driving such violent acts.