Doctor on Trial for Attempted Murder of Wife During Hawaii Hike

Closing arguments expected Tuesday in high-profile case with conflicting accounts of the incident.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:31pm

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An extreme close-up of a bloodied rock, capturing the gritty, investigative nature of the evidence at the heart of this violent crime case.A key piece of physical evidence in the attempted murder trial of a Hawaii doctor accused of attacking his wife on a hiking trail.Honolulu Today

Dr. Gerhardt Konig, a 47-year-old anesthesiologist from Maui, is on trial for the alleged attempted murder of his wife, Arielle Konig, during a hike on the Pali Puka Trail in Oahu in March 2025. Prosecutors claim Konig pushed his wife near a cliff's edge and beat her with a rock, while the defense argues Konig acted in self-defense after his wife attacked him first. Both Konig and his wife took the stand during the three-week trial, providing vastly different accounts of the incident. Closing arguments are expected on Tuesday, and the jury will then begin deliberations.

Why it matters

This high-profile case has drawn significant attention in Hawaii and raises questions about domestic violence, the dynamics of troubled marriages, and the use of self-defense claims in attempted murder trials. The outcome could have major implications for Konig's medical career and family life.

The details

Prosecutors allege that during the hike, Konig pushed his wife toward the edge of the cliff, pinned her down, and proceeded to beat her with a rock up to 10 times, believing he was trying to knock her unconscious in order to drag her over the edge. Arielle Konig testified that she fought back by biting her husband's arm and pleading for her life, saying their children would be orphaned. Two female hikers happened upon the scene and called 911. Konig was arrested following an hourslong manhunt. Arielle Konig filed for divorce in May 2025, seeking full custody of the couple's two children.

  • On March 24, 2025, the alleged incident occurred on the Pali Puka Trail in Oahu.
  • In May 2025, Arielle Konig filed for divorce and sought full custody of the couple's two children.
  • The three-week trial in Honolulu is expected to conclude on Tuesday with closing arguments.

The players

Dr. Gerhardt Konig

A 47-year-old anesthesiologist from Maui who is on trial for the alleged attempted murder of his wife during a hike in Oahu. He has pleaded not guilty and claims he acted in self-defense.

Arielle Konig

The wife of Dr. Gerhardt Konig, who testified that her husband pushed her toward a cliff's edge and beat her with a rock, believing he was trying to kill her.

Emile Konig

The 20-year-old son of Dr. Gerhardt Konig from a previous marriage, who testified about a FaceTime call in which his father allegedly confessed to trying to kill his wife.

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What they’re saying

“You're done. We're done with you. We don't need you anymore. You're done. You're done.”

— Arielle Konig, Wife of Dr. Gerhardt Konig

“He's trying to kill me.”

— Arielle Konig, Wife of Dr. Gerhardt Konig

“That he would not be making it back to Maui and to take good care of the younger kids, and that Ari, my stepmom, had been cheating on him, and that he tried to kill her.”

— Emile Konig, Son of Dr. Gerhardt Konig

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether the jury will begin deliberations following the closing arguments.

The takeaway

This high-profile case highlights the complexities of domestic violence cases, the challenges of establishing self-defense claims, and the potential consequences for medical professionals accused of violent crimes. The outcome will be closely watched for its impact on Konig's future and the broader discussion around intimate partner violence.