Thomas Plamberger, 39, is standing trial accused of negligent homicide after girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, 33, died just 150ft below the summit of the 12,460ft Grossglockner in January last year.
They will also claim at the trial that Plamberger and Gurtner were stranded from around 8.50pm, and he allegedly did not give any distress signals when a police helicopter flew over at 10.50pm. After several attempts by the Alpine Police, he finally spoke to an officer at around 12.35am. Officials say he had put his phone on silent and could not be contacted by Alpine Police, but eventually, at 3.30am, he decided to notify the rescue services after having left Gurtner alone.
I think he will be convicted. If I was the judge hearing the case, I would like to hear clear justifications for these events.
Gurtner hanging by the rope could be explained with things that people do before hypothermia kills them - freezing people can do stranger things than wandering off a cliff. But not using thermal blankets - which is how it came to happen that she froze - indicates negligence. Combined with not contacting rescue services, I would also suspect willful negligent homicide.
I think he will be convicted. If I was the judge hearing the case, I would like to hear clear justifications for these events.
Gurtner hanging by the rope could be explained with things that people do before hypothermia kills them - freezing people can do stranger things than wandering off a cliff. But not using thermal blankets - which is how it came to happen that she froze - indicates negligence. Combined with not contacting rescue services, I would also suspect willful negligent homicide.
P.S. He was convicted of gross negligence. The prison sentence of 5 months is suspended, a large fine has to be paid.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/20/austria-climber-convicted-manslaughter-girlfriend-kerstin-g-grossglockner-mountain