Arielle Konig, a prominent nuclear engineer, made her first court appearance on Friday, April 11, following a harrowing alleged murder attempt by her husband while hiking in Hawaii.
Still visibly injured, Konig appeared in court to request an extension of her restraining order against her spouse, Dr. Gerhardt Konig, a 46-year-old anesthesiologist.
The 36-year-old engineer sat at the front of the courtroom, wearing a black-and-white floral headscarf and bearing a visible stitch beneath her right eye—one of the injuries reportedly sustained during the attack. The court granted her request, ordering Gerhardt to stay away from both Arielle and their two children until further notice.
Prosecutors allege that Gerhardt launched a brutal attack on his wife during a hike near a scenic cliffside. The assault reportedly began when Arielle refused to take a photo at the cliff’s edge. Gerhardt is accused of striking her with a rock, injecting her with syringes containing an unknown substance, and then attempting to push her off the cliff.
Nearby hikers heard her cries and called 911 around 10:30 a.m. Emergency responders rushed Arielle to a hospital for treatment while police launched a six-hour manhunt for Gerhardt. He was later apprehended after a foot chase and charged with attempted murder.
Friday’s court hearing also revealed a troubled six-year marriage. Prosecutors said Gerhardt had accused Arielle of infidelity, while she has accused him of sexual assault. The couple moved to Maui in 2022, where they purchased a $1.5 million home for what Gerhardt described as his “dream job.” The family includes two young children, one of whom is reportedly from Gerhardt’s previous relationship.
Gerhardt’s medical license remains active, but he has been suspended from his position at Maui Health pending an internal investigation.
Neither Arielle nor Gerhardt spoke extensively during the hearing, responding only to direct questions with brief answers. Gerhardt appeared virtually from Oahu, where he is being held in custody.
The criminal proceedings are expected to continue into May, with a trial anticipated in June.
