A man is facing trial for allegedly abandoning his girlfriend, who later died from hypothermia near the summit of Austria’s highest mountain, Grossglockner. The incident occurred on January 19, 2025, when the woman, Kerstin G, was left by her partner at around 2 am after a challenging climb in freezing conditions. The boyfriend, identified as Thomas P, is currently being prosecuted for gross negligent manslaughter.
According to prosecutors, Thomas, an experienced climber who organized the expedition, failed to seek help in time for his girlfriend, leading to her tragic demise. The indictment accuses him of leaving her defenseless and disoriented just below the summit, without adequate equipment or support. Thomas is also accused of allowing his inexperienced girlfriend to undertake the climb in harsh winter conditions with insufficient gear.
The prosecution alleges that Thomas disregarded the worsening weather conditions and did not call for help when his partner began to struggle. Despite her exhaustion, he continued the climb and did not signal for assistance from a passing helicopter. Thomas’s lawyer maintains that both individuals considered themselves well-prepared and experienced for the tour, denying any intentional negligence on his part.
The trial is ongoing, with Thomas facing a potential maximum sentence of three years in prison if found guilty. The defense asserts that the couple had jointly planned the excursion and were in good physical condition, challenging the prosecution’s claims of negligence and incompetence.
