Climber found guilty of manslaughter after leaving girlfriend to die on Austria’s tallest mountain
CNN • • world
Key Points:
- A man named Thomas P. was found guilty of grossly negligent manslaughter for leaving his less experienced girlfriend, Kerstin G., to freeze to death on Austria’s tallest mountain, Grossglockner, in January 2025.
- The court heard conflicting accounts about Thomas P.'s efforts to seek help after the couple encountered difficulties climbing, highlighting issues of climber liability for companions' safety.
- Innsbruck Regional Court sentenced Thomas P. to a suspended five-month prison term and fined him €9,600 (approximately $11,300), considering his clean record and the emotional impact on him as mitigating factors.
- The judge noted the significant skill gap between the couple, emphasizing that Kerstin G. relied on Thomas
