A former UPMC anesthesiologist and assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh has been arrested in Hawaii after allegedly trying to kill his wife by pushing her off a hiking trail and striking her in the head with a rock multiple times, according to authorities.
Honolulu police identified the suspect as 46-year-old Gerhardt Konig. He was taken into custody Monday evening near Pali Highway after a brief foot chase.
Earlier that day, authorities had issued a wanted poster with Konig’s photo, describing him as a suspect in an attempted murder case at the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout.
Police say Konig and his 36-year-old wife were hiking near the scenic Pali Lookout on Oahu when Konig allegedly tried to shove her off the trail and then repeatedly hit her in the head with a rock. After leaving her for dead, Konig reportedly fled the scene.
Despite her severe injuries, the woman survived and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. She was able to identify her husband as the attacker, leading police to launch a manhunt that ended with Konig’s arrest later that day.
On Wednesday, Konig was formally charged with second-degree attempted murder. His bail was set at $5 million, according to CBS Honolulu affiliate KGMB-TV.
The Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout, known for its breathtaking views of Oahu’s coastline, sits more than 1,000 feet above sea level and is a popular tourist destination. The serene beauty of the site stands in sharp contrast to the alleged violence that unfolded there Monday morning.
Konig was working with the Anesthesia Medical Group in Hawaii before his arrest. KGMB reported that he had been providing medical services to facilities on Maui under an independent contract. The company has since suspended him pending further investigation.
Before moving to Hawaii, Konig worked as an anesthesiologist at UPMC and served as an assistant professor of anesthesiology and bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. A UPMC spokesperson confirmed that Konig had not been employed by the healthcare system for more than two years.
Konig moved to Maui with his wife and two small children to take what friends described as his “dream job.”
The news of Konig’s arrest has left former neighbors in shock. Ben Brown, who lived next door to the Konig family in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, for several years, described the couple as friendly and said he considered them good neighbors.
“I wasn’t particularly close with them, but we would chat from time to time. I never saw any signs of trouble,” Brown told KDKA-TV. “It’s shocking to hear something like this.”
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to release more details in the coming days. Meanwhile, Konig remains in custody, facing serious charges that could lead to a lengthy prison sentence if he is convicted.
