Doctor Found Guilty of Attempted Murder in Cliffside Attack on Wife

Gerhardt Konig faces life sentence for assault during Hawaii hike

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:57am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a bloodied rock against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the violent assault at the heart of this crime story.A violent domestic dispute on a remote Hawaiian hiking trail exposes the dangers of unchecked rage and the fragility of life.Honolulu Today

A Maui-based anesthesiologist was convicted of attempted murder after a jury found he tried to kill his wife during a hike on a remote cliffside trail in Honolulu. Prosecutors said Gerhardt Konig, 47, assaulted his wife Arielle by trying to stab her with a syringe and hitting her with a rock, allegedly in a fit of rage over her infidelity. Arielle Konig survived the attack thanks to witnesses who intervened, and has since filed for divorce.

Why it matters

The case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the potential for tragic outcomes when personal disputes escalate in isolated outdoor settings. It also raises questions about the professional conduct and fitness of medical practitioners accused of violent crimes.

The details

According to testimony, Gerhardt Konig attacked his wife Arielle as they hiked the scenic but remote Pali Puka trail in Honolulu in March 2025. Arielle said Konig first tried to stab her with a syringe, then struck her in the head with a rock, allegedly in an attempt to render her unconscious before pushing her off the cliff. Witnesses corroborated Arielle's account, with one hiker saying they saw Konig "hitting [his wife] with a rock." Arielle suffered critical injuries but survived after the witnesses called 911 and interrupted the attack. Konig fled the scene but was later arrested after a six-hour manhunt.

  • The incident occurred in March 2025 on the Pali Puka hiking trail in Honolulu.
  • Konig was arrested and indicted later that year.
  • His three-week trial concluded with a guilty verdict on April 9, 2026.

The players

Gerhardt Konig

A 47-year-old anesthesiologist based in Maui who was accused of attempting to murder his wife during a hike in Hawaii. He was found guilty of attempted murder and faces a potential life sentence.

Arielle Konig

Gerhardt Konig's wife, who testified that he attacked her on the hiking trail by trying to stab her with a syringe and hitting her in the head with a rock. She survived the assault and has since filed for divorce.

Amanda Morris

A witness who testified that she saw Gerhardt Konig "hitting [his wife] with a rock" on the hiking trail.

Sarah Buchsbaum

Another witness who called 911 after seeing Arielle Konig's "face was covered in blood" on the trail.

Emile Konig

Gerhardt Konig's 19-year-old son, who testified that his father told him he had tried to kill Arielle because she was cheating on him.

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What they’re saying

“I just started screaming, because, in my mind, he's trying to knock me unconscious, to get to be able to drag me over the edge.”

— Arielle Konig

“[Gerhardt Konig] was hitting [his wife] with a rock.”

— Amanda Morris, Witness

“[Arielle Konig's] face was covered in blood.”

— Sarah Buchsbaum, Witness

“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

“Yes.”

— Gerhardt Konig

What’s next

Gerhardt Konig will be sentenced at a later date, where he could face a maximum penalty of life in prison for the attempted murder conviction.

The takeaway

This case highlights the grave dangers of domestic violence, especially when disputes escalate in isolated outdoor settings. It also raises troubling questions about the conduct and fitness of medical professionals accused of violent crimes against their own family members.