A Hawaii jury heard explosive testimony during opening statements in the Gerhardt Konig trial, a former anesthesiologist accused of trying to kill his wife on the Pali Puka hiking trail in Honolulu County.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Konig, 47, is facing attempted murder and assault charges in connection with the March 24, 2025, incident, involving his then-wife, Arielle Konig.
On Thursday, a Honolulu jury heard a 911 call placed by a witness after the defendant allegedly became enraged when Arielle refused to take a selfie by the cliff’s edge.
Two nurses, Sarah Buchsbaum and Amanda Morris, witnessed Arielle being attacked when they happened upon the scene while out hiking. They did not know the Konig couple.
“911? Hi Someone’s currently being attacked on the top of Pali Puka,” Buchsbaum said during the call.
“We heard her screaming ‘help, help, help me, help me’ and then we saw a man over her, and then she crawled out with blood on her face. He tried to kill her.”
The prosecution said the incident happened on Arielle’s birthday and her first trip to O‘ahu, planned by the defendant.
Konig grew enraged when Arielle became uncomfortable with the selfie request, telling her,”Go back over there, I’m so f—ing sick of you.”
As she began to walk away, Konig pushed her and began attacking her. He then allegedly injected her with “an unknown substance” using a syringe, according to court documents.
“Arielle still struggles, she still tries to take that vial out of his hands, and they keep fighting,” Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Joel Garner, said.
“He starts to take that rock and bash her in the head multiple times. Help, help, help is what Arielle says while the defendant is hitting her.”
Morris testified that she saw Konig hitting the victim with a rock, while Buchsbaum described seeing the defendant with a “cold, emotionless” stare.
Garner stated that Konig then phoned his 19-year-old son and admitted he “had tried to kill Arielle,” and would not make it back.
Konig fled the scene but officers with the Honolulu Police Department arrested him hours later near Pali Highway, after a foot pursuit.
Arielle was taken to an area hospital in critical but stable condition, with multiple face lacerations.
The defense argued that the hikers did not witness the entire incident and that Buchsbaum initially identified a different man in a police photo lineup.
Defense attorney Thomas Otake stated that Arielle attacked her husband first, Hawaii News Now reports.
Otake added that the defendant also felt his wife shove him.
“She picks up a rock and hits him in the face with it, and he quickly reacts, human reaction, grabs the rock, hits her twice, and stops,” Otake argued.
Following the attack, Arielle Konig secured a 180-day restraining order and filed for divorce. In a petition, she accused the defendant of previous sexual assault. She also claimed Konig had accused her of having an affair.
Meanwhile, the prosecution stated that authorities found multiple items of evidence on Konig’s laptop. One included internet forum posts regarding infidelity. He also looked up his wife’s financial information and divorce costs.
Konig who worked for “an independent entity contracted to provide medical services at various medical facilities on Maui,” was suspended amid the investigation, according to ABC 11.
Arielle Konig is scheduled to testify next week.
The trial continues. Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo via Facebook]
