Doctor's Shocking Birthday Surprise for His Wife – Attempted Murder

A birthday celebration in Hawaii took a horrifying turn when a doctor allegedly attempted to kill his wife during a scenic hike. The couple's trip, meant to mark a special day, ended in severe trauma and criminal charges.

Alleged Attack on Pali Lookout Trail

On March 24, 2025, Gerhardt Konig, a 46-year-old anesthesiologist, and his wife Arielle Konig, 36, were hiking the Pali Lookout trail in Oahu. They were there to celebrate Arielle's birthday when she claims he attempted to shove her off a cliff.

Arielle claimed that Gerhardt asked her to pose for a photo with him near the edge of the 1,200-foot cliff—an area she described as making her feel "uncomfortable," according to both the affidavit and her petition for a restraining order, PEOPLE reported. When she refused, she alleged Gerhardt became enraged and started pushing her back towards the cliff edge.

He allegedly screamed at her, "Get back over there, I'm so [expletive] sick of you." At first, she thought he was joking. "I quickly realized he was seriously trying to make me fall off the cliff," she wrote in the petition, as reported by PEOPLE.

Arielle said Gerhardt then threw her into the bushes, bashed her head with a rock up to 10 times, and tried to inject her with an unknown substance using syringes he pulled from his backpack.

After managing to escape his grasp multiple times, Arielle encountered two witnesses. One of them called 911 while the other stayed with her after Gerhardt fled the scene. The witnesses' intervention is believed to have prevented further harm.

In a petition for a restraining order filed days later, Arielle also claimed that following the incident, Gerhardt allegedly FaceTimed his adult son from a previous relationship and admitted, "I just tried to kill Ari but she got away," Gerhardt allegedly told his son he intended to end his life by jumping off a cliff, according to the report, as reported by PEOPLE.

History of Alleged Abuse

The incident wasn't the first sign of trouble. Arielle alleged that Gerhardt had been sexually abusing her for months before the cliffside attack. Since December 2024, she claimed, he had become increasingly jealous and controlling, accusing her of cheating and monitoring her texts and calls. The couple had attended therapy, but tensions reportedly remained high.

Gerhardt Konig's mug shot. Photo courtesy of the Honolulu Police Department.

Court Proceedings and Denial

Gerhardt was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on April 7. The judge set his bail at $5 million, reflecting the severity of the allegations and concerns about public safety. His attorney, Thomas Otake, stated that the full story has not yet been told, saying "There are two sides to every story, and thus far only one side has been shared. The other side to this story will be shared within the court process at the appropriate time," as reported by ABC.

Life After the Attack

Arielle is now recovering at home in Maui with her family. Her attorney said she sustained a broken thumb, severe facial and scalp lacerations, and extensive bruising on her head and body. She has since been released from the hospital.

A GoFundMe page has been launched to support her and her two young children as they navigate the aftermath of the attack.

This case is ongoing.

References: Hawaii Couple Were Celebrating Wife's Birthday When He Allegedly Tried to Shove Her Off Cliff: Court Docs | Wife of Hawaii Doctor Alleges He Had Been Sexually Abusing Her for Months Before Cliff Attack | Trying to Push Wife Off Cliff — and Uttered These Chilling Words | Hawaii doctor accused of trying to kill wife on hiking trail pleads not guilty