Austrian Climber Convicted of Gross Negligent Manslaughter in Girlfriend’s Mountain Death

An Austrian climber, Thomas Plamberger, has been found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, froze to death on Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner, in January 2025. The verdict was delivered on Thursday, February 18, 2026, more than a year after the tragic incident.

The Incident

Plamberger, 36, and Gurtner, 33, were approximately 50 meters (164 feet) from the summit of the 12,460ft Grossglockner when Gurtner began to experience disorientation and illness. Plamberger left her at around 2 a.m. To seek support, leaving her “defenceless, exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented,” according to the indictment by the Innsbruck public prosecutor’s office Mirror.

He descended the mountain and returned with rescue services six and a half hours later, but Gurtner was found dead. Webcam footage from the Adlersruhe Webcam showed Gurtner alone at the summit, and later, Plamberger’s torch descending the mountain Mirror.

The Trial and Verdict

The trial began this week, with Plamberger facing charges of gross negligent manslaughter. Prosecutors argued that as an experienced climber and the planned route organizer, he was responsible for Gurtner’s safety and failed to call for help in a timely manner LBC. Plamberger maintained that Gurtner’s death was a tragic accident.

Plamberger was found guilty and could face up to three years in prison LBC.

Reaction and Further Details

The case has drawn significant attention, with chilling details emerging about the circumstances of Gurtner’s death. The temperature on the mountain was approximately -8°C (17.6°F) but felt like -20°C (-4°F) due to strong winds Mirror.

The emergency light from Gurtner’s equipment was visible from the webcam, highlighting her isolated and vulnerable position Mirror.