Content warning: This story contains descriptions of domestic violence.
A doctor is currently in police custody after attempting a horrific crime.
Gerhardt Konig was arrested for attempted murder of his wife Arielle Konig after allegedly beating her with a rock, and attempting to throw her off a cliff in Oahu, Hawaii, March 24, according to court documents obtained by NBC News.
The couple had been hiking through Pali Puka Trail in Honolulu, per court documents, when Gerhardt, an anesthesiologist, had asked his wife to take a selfie with him “close to the edge” of the trail.
As noted in the court documents, “Arielle expressed that she did not feel comfortable taking a picture with him that close to the edge, so she declined and began to walk back.”
However, Arielle noted that her declining to take the photo angered Gerhardt, and he began yelling at her, saying something akin to, according to an affidavit obtained by E! News, “Get back over there, I’m so f–king sick of you!”
Gardhardt, 46, then pushed Arielle into the bushes near the trail, and picked up a rock and struck her 10 times in the head “while also grabbing the back of her hair and smashing her face into the ground,” authorities said in a statement per NBC News.
Arielle, 36, also reported that her husband took two syringes out of his bag and attempted to use them on her, but she told authorities per NBC News she “was able to get away from him.”
Per the documents, Gerdhardt’s attack only stopped when other hikers approached the area. A hiker identified by police as “Amanda,” said she heard Arielle yelling for help amid her own hike.
“Amanda described that the man had a rock in his hand and when he saw her, he stopped and got off of the woman,” the police report, per NBC News stated. “Amanda recalled that the woman, later identified as Arielle, stated, ‘He is trying to kill me. He is hitting me in the head with a rock.’”
Amanda’s hiking partner called 911, and after a brief foot chase, Gerdhardt was caught by authorities at around 6:10 p.m. local time. He is being held on bail for $5 million. Arielle was taken to Queens Medical Center by ambulance in “serious but stable” condition, according to police documents obtained by NBC News.
In a statement to E! News, a lawyer for Arielle shared that she is “focusing on her recovery at home in Maui with the support of her family” adding, “she kindly asks that the media and the public respect their privacy during this time.”
Keep reading for more of what to know about the horrific case…
Who is Gerdhardt Konig?
Gerdhardt Konig is an anesthesiologist based in Oahu, Hawaii. He received his doctor of medicine from University of Pittsburgh, before completing his residency at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
After working as both a resident and staff anesthesiologist at UPMC, Gerdhardt became a professor at the university and relocated to Hawaii in 2023, where he joined the Anesthesia Medical Group as a partner, per his LinkedIn profile.
What has Arielle Konig said about the attack?
In the days since the attack, Arielle filed a restraining order petition March 27, which was obtained by E! News. The 36-year-old alleged that Gerdhardt had “sexually abused and assaulted” her over the last few months.
Arielle noted that in December, Gerhardt had accused her of having an affair which led to “extreme jealousy on his part.” Although the pair had been attending couples counseling, Arielle explained, Gerhardt had “attempted to control and monitor” all of her communications since first accusing her of an affair.
Do Gerdhardt Konig and Arielle Konig have kids?
Gerdhardt Konig and Arielle Konig have two young children together, born in 2020 and 2023 respectively, according to the restraining petition filed by Arielle. The couple also shared a dog.
How long were Gerdhardt Konig and Arielle Konig married?
Gerdhardt Konig and Arielle Konig got married in September 2018, according to Facebook posts from the couple. They lived together with their two sons and dog in Maui, Hawaii.
Was Gerdhardt Konig married before?
Gerdhardt Konig was previously married to ex Jessica Patella, before she filed for divorce in October 2014, according to court records obtained by TribLive. The couple shared two children together, one of whom Gerdhardt had contacted shortly after allegedly attempting to kill Arielle, she said in her restraining order petition.
“I learned that Gerdhardt facetimed his adult son (and my stepson) Emile,” Arielle wrote in her filing. “Gerdhardt was observed to be covered in blood. Gerhardt said ‘I just tried to kill Ari but she got away,’ and told Emile he wanted to kill himself by jumping off a cliff.”
In a text to TribLive, Jessica said she was “shocked and saddened,” by Gerdhardt’s alleged murder attempt.
She added, “Our hearts are with Ari.”
E! News has attempted to contact a lawyer for Gerdhardt but has been unable to find his representation.
(E! News and NBC News are both a part of the NBCUniversal family.)
