Mountaineer Who Left Girlfriend to Freeze to Death on Austria's Highest Peak Gets Suspended Sentence After Ex Testifies He Abandoned Her, Too
Yahoo News New Zealand • • world
Key Points:
- Thomas Plamberger was found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter for abandoning his girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, who froze to death while climbing Austria's highest peak, Grossglockner, in January 2025.
- Webcam footage showed Plamberger descending the mountain alone after the couple got stuck near the summit, and he reportedly put his phone on silent after initially contacting rescue services.
- Plamberger received a suspended five-month prison sentence and a 9,600 euro fine for his role in Gurtner's death.
- Prosecutors alleged Plamberger had previously abandoned another girlfriend during a difficult hike; she survived and testified in court, but Plamberger denied the accusation.
- Gurtner
