Authorities in Hawaii have announced that a local doctor is facing charges after allegedly trying to murder his wife on a hiking trail.
The incident occurred on March 24, around 10am, when anaesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig and his wife, Arielle Konig, were hiking the Pali Lookout trail in Oahu, Hawaii. The 46-year-old is accused of attempting to push his spouse off the trail and hitting her on the head with a rock, according to police statements.
Arielle reported to officials that her husband allegedly attacked her before trying to shove her off the path. He also purportedly hit her with a rock and attempted to inject her with two syringes, though it remains unclear whether the syringes contained any substance.
Suffering from facial and head injuries, Arielle, 36, was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Konig reportedly left the scene but was captured by law enforcement later that day around 6pm, found near Pali Highway, and taken into custody following a short chase.
He faces charges of second-degree attempted murder, according to Honolulu police, as reported by AP News. His bail has been set at $5 million.
Konig’s lawyer, Myles Breiner, commented to Island News: “Why he did this? That’s a mystery… he has nothing on his record here or anywhere else he’s ever lived in. So it’s rather surprising that out of nowhere, he would engage in this kind of behavior.”
Sanoe Kaaihue, the executive director of Women Helping Women, told Hawaii News Now: “Both prominent people in our community. Not just him, but also her. Highly intelligent, highly successful folks.”
She further stated: “DV (domestic violence) does not discriminate. I think time and time again, people are so surprised when they hear that it’s their teachers, it’s neighbors, it’s attorneys. It’s everybody from every single walk of life can be affected.”
“What you’re seeing now is an outward expression of the things that they’ve been experiencing within the household.”
Maui Health has placed Konig on suspension pending further investigation.
If you are suffering from domestic violence, please remember that you have support. The national domestic violence helpline Refuge is available 24/7 for confidential conversations at 0808 2000 247.