A prominent anesthesiologist in Hawaii has been charged with second-degree attempted murder after allegedly launching a brutal attack on his wife during a scenic hike on Oʻahu.
Now, witnesses have shared to police what they allegedly saw as the incident – which involved multiple blows to the head with a rock, an attempt to inject her with syringes, and a dramatic escape – unfolded.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, 46-year-old Gerhardt Konig allegedly assaulted his wife, 36-year-old Arielle Konig, on the morning of March 24 while the two were hiking the Pali Puka Trail near the Pali Lookout.
The affidavit and other sources reveal that the assault occurred shortly after a dispute over taking a selfie near the edge of the cliff.
Maui Doctor Accused Pushing Wife Off Trail
Credit: KHON2/Youtube
Arielle reportedly told police she declined the photo because she felt unsafe near the drop. As she began walking away, Konig allegedly yelled at her to come back, then shoved her into the bushes and began attacking her.
She told police that Konig struck her in the head approximately 10 times with a rock, yanked her hair, and smashed her face into the ground. During the violent encounter, she said he pulled out two syringes from a bag and attempted to inject her. She managed to wrestle them away.
The affidavit states that Arielle screamed for help and crawled toward two hikers who were nearby.
One of them, according to the document, described seeing “a girl lying on her back in the grass with a man on top of her, hitting her on the head.” The witness said Konig had a rock in his hand and stopped only when he realized they were watching.
As the alleged attack unfolded, Arielle reportedly shouted at the hikers: “He is trying to kill me!”
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Arielle then allegedly continued: “He is hitting me in the head with a rock.”
One of the witnesses called 911 while Konig reportedly fled up the trail. Arielle was rushed to Queens Medical Center and treated for serious head and facial injuries. She was initially listed in critical condition, though later stabilized.
Authorities launched an immediate manhunt, and Konig was apprehended later that day near Pali Highway following a brief foot chase, the Honolulu Police Department confirmed.
Police say Konig is a practicing anesthesiologist affiliated with the Anesthesia Medical Group in Hawaii, providing services across Maui, including Maui Memorial Medical Center. In a statement, Maui Health confirmed, per ABC News: “Dr. Konig is employed by an independent entity contracted to provide medical services at various medical facilities on Maui.
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“Dr. Konig’s medical staff privileges at Maui Memorial Medical Center have been suspended pending investigation.”
As of the time of the incident, Konig still held valid medical licenses in Hawaii. Records show his license was issued in September 2022.
Both Konig and Arielle have ties to Pittsburgh. Konig was previously an attending anesthesiologist at a women’s hospital and an assistant professor of anesthesiology and bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. A spokesperson for UPMC stated that Konig had not been affiliated with the institution for over two years.
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Arielle holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Penn State and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. According to her LinkedIn, she currently works as a project manager at TerraPower, a company focused on nuclear energy innovation.
The alleged attack has shocked many in Hawaii and beyond, raising awareness about domestic violence in high-achieving and respected households. Sanoe Kaaihue, executive director of Women Helping Women, told Hawaii News Now: “Both prominent people in our community. Not just him, but also her. Highly intelligent, highly successful folks.”
“DV (domestic violence) does not discriminate,” she said. “It’s everybody from every single walk of life that can be affected. What you’re seeing now is an outward expression of the things that they’ve been experiencing within the household.”
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Konig was booked by police on a charge of second-degree attempted murder. His bail has been set at $5 million.
The case is pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.
Featured image credit: Facebook/Gerhardt Konig
