Indicted Hawaii doctor's wife details alleged hiking trail attack in restraining order petition

HONOLULU (AP) -- An anesthesiologist named Gerhardt Konig was indicted on attempted murder charges following an alleged assault on his wife during a hiking trip in Hawaii. The incident occurred while the couple was visiting Oahu from their home in Maui. According to a petition for a temporary restraining order filed by his wife, during the hike, Konig became aggressive, pushing her toward the edge of a cliff and attempting to inject her with a syringe.

The couple had been experiencing marital issues, including accusations of infidelity from Konig, which had resulted in ongoing therapy sessions. The wife described the hike as particularly treacherous, with narrow ridges and steep drop-offs, and conveyed her discomfort at continuing. After posing for a photo near a cliff, she requested Konig to move away due to feeling dizzy. Instead, he allegedly grabbed her and began forcefully pushing her toward the cliff edge, leading to a struggle.

In her petition, she recounted her fear as the confrontation escalated; Konig reportedly attempted to inject her with an unknown substance from a syringe, raising concern due to his access to potent medications as an anesthesiologist. During the altercation, she defended herself by biting him, but he subsequently struck her with a rock multiple times. Two women witnessing the incident intervened, assisting her to safety while Konig fled the scene.

Emergency services were called, and she was transported to the hospital, where she learned that Konig had contacted his adult son, claiming he had tried to kill her and expressing suicidal thoughts. Following the incident, a judge issued a restraining order mandating that Konig stay away from his wife and children. His employment as an anesthesiologist at Maui Health, which is affiliated with Kaiser Permanente, is currently under investigation, and he has been suspended from practicing.

The case raises serious concerns regarding domestic violence, with the Associated Press choosing to withhold the wife's identity to protect her privacy as a victim. For those facing similar situations, resources such as the national domestic violence hotline, available at 1-800-799-7233, offer support and assistance.