A man is facing trial for allegedly abandoning his girlfriend to perish on the highest mountain in Austria, with a disturbing photograph capturing his flashlight shining from the summit during the night.
The woman, identified as Kerstin G, aged 33, succumbed to hypothermia near the peak of Grossglockner on January 19, 2025, after reportedly being deserted by her partner around 2 am following a challenging ascent. The freezing conditions atop the mountain registered around -8°C overnight, but the wind made it feel closer to -20°C.
The accused, Thomas P, is currently undergoing trial for the charge of gross negligent manslaughter. Prosecutors claim that as a seasoned climber who orchestrated the expedition, he was accountable for the journey’s guidance and failed to request assistance promptly for his girlfriend. Thomas refutes the allegations, asserting that Kerstin’s death was a tragic mishap.
An indictment issued by the Innsbruck public prosecutor’s office accuses Thomas of leaving his partner helpless, fatigued, cold, and disoriented roughly 50 meters below the summit. Authorities state that despite his girlfriend’s deteriorating condition, he did not make an emergency call before nightfall when she began struggling, nor did he signal for help to a passing helicopter.
Thomas P is also accused of initiating the hike two hours behind schedule, which meant confronting challenging evening conditions earlier than planned, and proceeding with the climb despite his girlfriend’s lack of experience in such arduous Alpine terrain and adverse winter weather.
Additionally, prosecutors allege that Thomas allowed his girlfriend to use inadequate equipment, like snowboard soft boots, and failed to carry sufficient emergency shelter equipment for the 12,460-foot mountain.
The defendant is further charged with negligence for not turning back when hazardous winds became evident during the climb, a claim disputed by his legal representation. Thomas’s lawyer, Karl Jelinek, emphasized that both individuals believed they were adequately prepared and experienced for the trek, with relevant Alpine background and good physical fitness.
In the event of a conviction, Thomas P could face a maximum prison term of three years. The trial is ongoing.