The shocking case of 33-year-old Kerstin Gurtner’s death, who was abandoned by her boyfriend for hours on a mountain in Austria and died from the cold, has become global news. The photo of the unfortunate woman is circulating worldwide as authorities investigate the circumstances under which the 33-year-old met her tragic end, and her boyfriend is now officially charged with negligent homicide.
Read: Austria: 36-year-old left his girlfriend to die from cold at the country’s highest mountain peak
The tragic death on Austrian mountain
The 33-year-old climatologist from Salzburg lost her life to hypothermia in January of last year, under extreme weather conditions.
The tragic incident unfolded during a night climb, in temperatures reaching -20 degrees Celsius. The woman was found dead approximately 50 meters below the summit, after – according to prosecutors – being left alone, exhausted, disoriented and already in critical condition due to hypothermia. Her boyfriend, Thomas Plambeger, reportedly decided to descend alone, instead of staying with her or taking immediate rescue measures, a decision that would prove fatal for his partner.
Kerstin’s social media profile is filled with photos of her and Plambeger from climbs and hikes. She described herself as a “winter child” and “mountain person.”
“We think of you very often”
Friends and family have created a memorial page to honor her. “Rest in peace in heaven!” one user wrote to her, while another added: “Behind the tears of sorrow hides the smile of remembrance!”
“We still think of you very often!!” was the message from her loved ones.
It’s worth noting that webcam footage from the area played a significant role in the investigation, showing two headlamp lights moving toward the summit early in the evening, while a few hours later only one light is seen moving away. Additionally, investigators examined the couple’s mobile phones and sports watches, concluding that serious mistakes were made in planning the ascent.
The couple was inadequately equipped
Prosecutors emphasize that the couple was inadequately equipped for such conditions, with the 33-year-old wearing inappropriate snowboard boots instead of specialized mountaineering gear. The man, although an experienced climber, reportedly ignored the danger, started the ascent late, and didn’t bring adequate emergency equipment, such as thermal blankets or specialized emergency shelter. Even more serious is the fact that he didn’t immediately call rescue services, nor did he respond effectively when a helicopter flew over the area.
From the defense side, Plambeger denies the charges and maintains that he left to seek help, characterizing the incident as a “tragic accident.” However, authorities believe that, as the more experienced climber, he had responsibility for the team’s decisions and safety.
The trial is expected to begin in February. If found guilty, the defendant faces up to three years in prison.
