To the outside world, Dr. Gerhardt Konig and his wife Arielle seemed like the perfect couple. He was a successful anesthesiologist, and she was a beautiful and loving wife, working as a nuclear engineer. They lived in a beautiful home in Hawaii with their two young sons. It seemed like a dream life. But that dream shattered on Arielle’s 36th birthday. What was supposed to be a celebration of her special day ended in a violent attack that changed everything.
On that day, Arielle and Gerhardt traveled from their home in Kahului, Maui, to Honolulu for a day trip. Everything seemed normal at first. They were just two people enjoying the island. But by the end of the day, Arielle was left fighting for her life, and her husband was in jail facing serious charges.
The Violent Attack on Arielle
Dr. Gerhardt Konig, 46, attacked his wife during a hike at the Pali Lookout in Oahu. He now faces second-degree attempted murder charges. Authorities are holding him at the Oahu Community Correctional Center. Meanwhile, Arielle is recovering at The Queen’s Medical Center. She remains in stable condition, but the attack was brutal.
According to reports, Konig struck Arielle with a rock ten times. After the attack, two female hikers heard her cries for help. They rushed to her side and managed to stop the attack. Konig continued walking away from the scene after the hikers intervened. He left his wife bleeding on the ground.
Shocked by the Attack
Many who knew the couple were shocked by the news. Christina Ferguson, 53, had worked for them as a cleaner for six months. She described Arielle as a kind and caring person. Christina said, “Nobody saw this coming.” She explained that Arielle was always at home with their children, a loving mother, and wife.
The couple seemed to have a perfect life. They married in 2018, and soon after, they moved to Maui in 2022 when Konig got his dream job. They bought a beautiful five-bedroom home in a quiet neighborhood in the foothills of the West Maui Mountains. Everything appeared to be perfect. Neighbors saw the family as a quiet but loving group. They didn’t socialize much but seemed devoted to their young sons. Konig even hosted whiskey tastings at their home. But the signs of a violent breakdown were nowhere to be seen.
The Violent Attack Unfolds at Pali Lookout
On the day of the attack, the couple traveled from Maui to Oahu to celebrate Arielle’s birthday. They left their sons behind with a nanny, planning to enjoy a quiet day together. But things quickly escalated. Around 10:30 a.m., they arrived at the scenic Pali Lookout. The lookout is known for its breathtaking views of the valley below. It’s a popular spot for tourists to take photos. Konig asked Arielle to stand close to the edge of the cliff for a selfie. Arielle didn’t feel comfortable standing there, so she declined.
When Arielle refused, Konig became angry. He yelled at her to come back, but when she didn’t, he picked up a rock and attacked her. Then he hit her on the head multiple times, leaving her bloodied. He then grabbed her by the hair and slammed her face into the ground.
Arielle, despite the brutal assault, was able to crawl toward two female hikers who had heard her cries for help. The hikers, Amanda and Sarah, rushed to her side and called the police. Konig, meanwhile, calmly walked away from the scene. He continued up the trail, seemingly unaffected by his actions.
A Desperate Attempt to Harm
Arielle’s injuries were severe. In addition to the rock attack, she reported that her husband tried to inject her with two syringes containing an unknown substance. She was lucky to escape, but her injuries were serious. When the police arrived, they found her covered in blood, with multiple lacerations on her face and head.
The police immediately took Arielle to the hospital. She was in serious but stable condition. Doctors treated her wounds, and she needed stitches to repair the damage. Meanwhile, Konig went on the run. Police began searching for him and found him near the Pali Highway later that evening.
The Arrest and the Aftermath
Authorities arrested Konig that evening and charged him with second-degree attempted murder. They set his bond at $5 million while he awaits his preliminary hearing. Arielle’s mother, Judith, stayed with her at the hospital. She believes Arielle, despite her injuries, will recover. Christina Ferguson, who worked for the family, hopes Konig stays in jail. “I hope he has to sit there and think about what he did,” she said.
