Climber on Trial For Leaving Girlfriend to Die on Mountain

By Youssef Bashir

More than 13 months after 33-year-old Kerstin G died climbing Austria’s highest mountain, her boyfriend, Thomas P, goes on trial for gross negligent manslaughter.

Thomas is alleged to have planned the climb and acted as guide. On the day, he started two hours late and failed to take enough emergency equipment, a mistake that became fatal. 

He alleges the situation changed suddenly, Kerstin unable to move. He left her to find help. Prosecutors say he did not provide any gear to protect her from the cold, leading to her death.