Gerhardt Konig, a 46-year-old anesthesiologist, was charged with second-degree attempted murder after allegedly attacking his wife, Arielle Konig, at the Pali Lookout in Hawaii. The couple had been married for six years, but their marriage had started to fall apart in the months leading up to the incident. Arielle filed a restraining order against her husband, claiming that he had become extremely jealous and controlling of her communications. Despite their marital issues, they had been participating in therapy to salvage their relationship and decided to plan a weekend getaway to Oahu to celebrate Arielle’s birthday.
During their trip to Oahu, Gerhardt suggested they hike the trail near Pali Lookout, where the attack occurred. He became enraged when Arielle refused to take a picture with him and allegedly tried to push her off the trail, punched her, hit her with a rock, and attempted to jab her with two syringes. Two women on the trail intervened and stopped the attack, allowing Arielle to be rushed to The Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition with multiple injuries. Gerhardt was arrested later that evening near Pali Highway after a brief foot pursuit and is currently being held at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.
Arielle later told the court that Gerhardt called one of his adult children from a previous marriage on FaceTime and allegedly confessed to trying to kill her. She expressed fear for herself, her children, and the rest of her family if her husband is released and a judge ordered him to be held without bail. Konig, who previously worked as a University of Pittsburgh professor and UPMC anesthesiologist, was employed by an independent contractor to provide medical services as an anesthesiologist in Maui. Maui Health has suspended him from the Medical Staff pending investigation, stating they are committed to patient safety and upholding the highest standards of care.
The details of the attack shed light on the deteriorating relationship between Gerhardt and Arielle Konig, with Arielle alleging that her husband had accused her of cheating on him in December. Despite their efforts in therapy, the incident on the hiking trail led to serious injuries for Arielle and legal consequences for Gerhardt. The shocking nature of the attack, with Gerhardt allegedly attempting to use his medical knowledge to harm his wife, has raised concerns about his mental state and the potential danger he poses to others.
Arielle’s willingness to speak out about the attack and her fear for her safety and that of her family indicates the severity of the situation and the lasting impact it has had on her. The legal proceedings and investigation into the allegations against Gerhardt Konig will shed further light on the events leading up to the attack and his motivations. The support of law enforcement, medical professionals, and others involved in this case is crucial to ensuring justice is served and that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
