Hawaii Doctor on Trial for Attempted Murder of Wife During Hike

Closing arguments underway in high-profile case with conflicting accounts of alleged attack on Oahu trail

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:28pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Gerhardt Konig, a 47-year-old Hawaii anesthesiologist, is on trial for the alleged attempted murder of his wife Arielle during a hike on the Pali Puka Trail in Oahu in March 2025. Prosecutors claim Konig pushed Arielle near a cliff's edge and beat her with a rock, while the defense argues Konig acted in self-defense after Arielle attacked him first. The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Tuesday.

Why it matters

The case has drawn significant attention in Hawaii, raising questions about domestic violence, the state of the Konigs' marriage, and the use of force in self-defense. The outcome could have major implications for Gerhardt Konig's medical career and his family's future.

The details

Prosecutors allege that during the hike, Gerhardt Konig pushed Arielle towards the edge of a cliff, pinned her down, and beat her with a rock up to 10 times, nearly killing her. Arielle testified that Gerhardt had a syringe and vial, suggesting he may have intended to drug her. Gerhardt, however, claims Arielle attacked him first and that he hit her with the rock in self-defense. The defense argues Gerhardt never intended to kill his wife. Two female hikers who came upon the scene called 911, reporting a man was trying to kill a woman.

  • 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 began in early April 2026.

The players

Gerhardt Konig

A 47-year-old anesthesiologist from Maui who is on trial for the alleged attempted murder of his wife Arielle during a hike in Oahu.

Arielle Konig

Gerhardt Konig's wife, who testified that her husband pushed her towards a cliff's edge and beat her with a rock, nearly killing her.

Emile Konig

Gerhardt Konig's 20-year-old son from a previous marriage, who testified about a FaceTime call in which his father allegedly confessed to trying to kill Arielle.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He's saying, 'You're done. We're done with you. We don't need you anymore. You're done. You're done,'”

— Arielle 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, Gerhardt Konig's son

“I just felt hopeless at that point in terms of everything. I felt horrified about what I did to her, that I had caused this to her, that I had resorted to violence against my wife, the person who I love the most in the world. And I just kind of felt hopeless in terms of our relationship, too.”

— Gerhardt Konig, Defendant

What’s next

The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Tuesday afternoon local time. If they are unable to find Gerhardt Konig guilty of second-degree attempted murder, they will consider lesser charges such as attempted manslaughter, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree assault or third-degree assault.

The takeaway

This high-profile case in Hawaii has laid bare the complexities of domestic violence, the challenges of reconciling conflicting accounts, and the potential consequences for medical professionals accused of violent crimes. The jury's decision will have significant implications for the Konig family and the broader community.