A doctor has been charged with trying to murder his wife by pushing her off a Hawaii beauty spot and then bashing her in the head with a rock — allegedly just for refusing to take a photo with him, according to authorities.
Gerhardt Konig, a 46-year-old anesthesiologist from Maui, was on vacation on Oahu with his 36-year-old wife, nuclear engineer Arielle Konig, when he allegedly pushed her off a hiking trail in the Pali Lookout, a famous panoramic viewpoint, according to cops.
He allegedly flipped because his wife refused to take a picture with him, law enforcement sources told Hawaii News Now.
The doctor also repeatedly punched his wife and hit her with the rock — and at some point, even tried to poke her with two syringes, according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, which did not elaborate on whether they contained drugs.
Arielle Konig was rushed to a hospital in serious condition with multiple facial and head injuries after the alleged attack early Monday, according to the Honolulu Police Department.
Konig was arrested close to Pali Highway after a brief foot chase around 6:45 p.m. Monday, roughly eight hours after the alleged attack.
Pali Lookout was closed for the rest of Monday following the shocking incident, Hawaii’s Division of State Parks said in a statement on Monday.
Konig, who was employed by an independent contractor to provide medical services as an anesthesiologist in Maui, has been suspended, Maui Health said in a statement on Monday.
“Maui Health is committed to patient safety and upholding the highest standards of care,” the statement read.
“We have been made aware of the allegations against Gerhardt Konig, MD. Dr. Konig has been suspended from the Medical Staff pending investigation. Dr. Konig is employed by an independent entity contracted to provide medical services at various medical facilities on Maui, including Maui Memorial Medical Center.
“Maui Health takes these concerns and the safety of its patients very seriously and will cooperate with authorities as appropriate,” the state continued.
