Honolulu, Hawaii — What was supposed to be a birthday celebration turned into a harrowing fight for survival on a remote Hawaiian hiking trail. Dr. Gerhardt Konig, a respected anesthesiologist, now stands at the center of a chilling attempted murder case that has captivated the nation.
Credit: Honolulu Police Department
On March 24, Dr. Konig and his wife, Arielle Konig, set out on a hike along the steep and dangerous Pali Puka trail on the island of Oahu. According to authorities, the excursion quickly turned violent when Arielle allegedly refused her husband’s request to take a selfie near the cliff’s edge. What happened next sounds more like a scene from a psychological thriller than a marital dispute.
Prosecutors allege that Dr. Konig flew into a rage, attempted to shove his wife off the cliff, injected her with an unknown substance, and brutally beat her head with a rock — not once, but nearly ten times. Her screams for help were heard by two nearby hikers who intervened, likely saving her life. Dr. Konig fled the scene but was later arrested after a brief foot chase.
Arielle was rushed to the hospital with severe head and facial injuries. She later filed a restraining order, describing a long history of abuse and psychological torment, including allegations of infidelity and controlling behavior. Perhaps most damning is the alleged phone call Dr. Konig made to his adult son shortly after the attack, reportedly stating: “I just tried to kill Ari, but she got away,” followed by threats to take his own life.
Credit: Facebook/Gerhardt Konig
Now behind bars and facing charges of second-degree attempted murder, Dr. Konig has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Thomas Otake, says the public is rushing to judgment and insists that “there are two sides to every story.” Konig’s legal team promises a full defense when the trial begins.
Meanwhile, the medical community in Hawaii is reeling. Dr. Konig, once a trusted physician, has been suspended from practice pending the investigation.
If convicted, he faces life in prison.
This case leaves behind a trail of questions: What truly happened on that cliffside? Was this an act of premeditated violence — or is there more to the story than meets the eye?
Credit: Honolulu Police Department
As the legal drama unfolds, one thing is certain — this is a story that has shocked Hawaii and beyond, with echoes of betrayal, survival, and the darkest corners of a troubled relationship.
