A Hawaii doctor accused of trying to push his wife off a 1,200-foot cliff during a hike has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder.
Gerhardt Konig, 46, entered his plea on Monday (April 7) from the Oahu Community Correctional Center, where he’s been held without bail since his March 28 indictment.
The alleged attack took place on March 24 during what was meant to be a birthday trip to Oahu, while the couple’s two young sons stayed home on Maui with a nanny and family.
According to PEOPLE, Konig’s wife, Arielle Konig, 36, told authorities the assault began after she declined to take a selfie near the cliff's edge, citing safety concerns.
In a petition for a temporary restraining order, she wrote: “When I got close to Gerhardt, Gerhardt grabbed me by my upper arms and started pushing me back towards the cliff edge.
"He was yelling something to the effect of, ‘Get back over there, l’m so f**king sick of you!’ and continued to push me. If I had fallen off the cliff, I would have likely died," per CNN.
The hike took place on what’s known as the “Pali Puka” trail, which is officially closed due to hazardous terrain, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Arielle said she became uneasy during the hike and told Konig she wanted to stop. He continued ahead before circling back to her. That’s when he allegedly pushed her and attempted to inject her with a syringe.
“I do not know what was in the syringe, but Gerhardt is an anesthesiologist and has access to several potentially lethal medications as part of his employment,” she said, adding that she bit his arm in an attempt to escape, The New York Post reported.
According to court documents, Konig allegedly shoved her into nearby bushes, grabbed a rock, and “struck her on the head approximately 10 times while also grabbing the back of her hair and smashing her face into the ground.”
Two hikers heard her screams. One of them, Amanda, told police she saw a man on top of a woman, hitting her in the head, and recalled hearing the victim scream, “He is trying to kill me. He is hitting me in the head with a rock.” The second hiker, Sarah, called 911.
Arielle managed to crawl away, screaming for help. The two women helped her down the trail as Konig fled in a different direction. Paramedics rushed Arielle to a hospital, where she was treated for serious head and facial injuries.
Later, she learned that her husband had allegedly FaceTimed his adult son from a previous relationship shortly after fleeing the scene.
“I just tried to kill Ari, but she got away,” Konig reportedly told his son, according to the restraining order. He also allegedly said he planned to jump off a cliff to take his own life.
A manhunt ensued, and the doctor was arrested more than seven hours later following a brief foot chase near Pali Highway.
The temporary restraining order also detailed months of escalating abuse, including accusations of infidelity, control, and what Arielle described as “extreme jealousy”.
She said the violence had previously included sexual abuse and assault. The petition asked for protection for herself, their children, and extended family.
“Dr. Konig’s not guilty plea this morning was not just a formality, but a substantive response to the allegation that he tried to kill his wife,” Konig’s attorney, Thomas Otake, said in a statement shared before the hearing.
“There are two sides to every story, and thus far only one side has been shared,” he added. “The other side to this story will be shared within the court process at the appropriate time.”
If convicted, Konig faces life in prison.
Konig works as an anesthesiologist at Maui Health, which runs hospitals and clinics across Maui County and is affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. In a statement to the media, Maui Health confirmed he has been suspended while the investigation is ongoing.
“This indictment reflects the serious nature of crime that is alleged in this case,” Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said. “Domestic abuse cannot be tolerated. Our office is committed to ensuring that justice is served for the victim and that the defendant is held accountable.”
A verified GoFundMe launched by a friend has raised $4,699 to support Arielle and her children.