Thomas Plamberger faces charges after allegedly abandoning his girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, 33, during an ascent of Austria's highest mountain, Grossglockner, in January. Kerstin froze to death 45 meters from the summit, where temperatures plummeted to -20 degrees Celsius, after being left "unprotected, exhausted, and hypothermic", according to prosecutors.

Plamberger, an experienced climber, faces up to three years in prison if convicted of negligent homicide. Prosecutors accuse him of failing to prepare an emergency kit and delaying communication with rescue teams for several hours.

Light from the couple's headlamps at approximately 6 PM on 18/1. *Webcam*

Images released by authorities show the light from the couple's headlamps illuminating the ground around 6 PM as they ascended the mountain on 18/1. After about six hours, the lights began to dim as their batteries ran out, and Kerstin started to show signs of exhaustion.

Despite Thomas's encouragement to continue, Kerstin struggled to conquer the final stretch of the mountain amidst winds reaching 72 km/h. She was wearing soft-soled snowshoes, footwear not designed for the mixed terrain at such high altitudes. Eventually, Kerstin could not go further, succumbing to exhaustion, hypothermia, and disorientation in the darkness.

Thomas descended the mountain alone, claiming he went to seek help. However, prosecutors allege he did not move Kerstin to a wind-sheltered area, nor did he use a sleeping bag or an aluminum rescue blanket before leaving her. Due to storm-force winds, the rescue team could not immediately reach Kerstin, ultimately discovering her body frozen at the cross on the summit early on 19/1.

Rescue team found Kerstin Gurtner frozen to death on the 3,798 meters high snow-covered mountain. *Kleine Zeitung*

Prosecutors further stated the couple began their climb approximately two hours late, extending their ascent into the evening, and failed to bring any emergency equipment. Investigators conducted a comprehensive forensic evaluation, examining phones, sports watches, photos, videos, and consulting climbing experts.

Thomas was identified as legally responsible, acting as the "guide" for the expedition due to his extensive experience with high-altitude climbing tours and his role in planning the trip. He stands accused of disregarding his girlfriend's inexperience, her lack of prior high-altitude tours, and her limited physical fitness. He allegedly encouraged her to continue climbing despite the harsh conditions and failed to decide to turn back as darkness fell.

Prosecutors also accuse Thomas of failing to call emergency services promptly. The pair became stranded around 8:50 PM, yet he remained silent when a police helicopter flew overhead at 10:50 PM.

Police made multiple attempts to contact Thomas but only connected with him around 12:35 AM on 19/1, almost four hours after they became stranded. The details of that conversation remain unclear, but Thomas did not re-contact rescue forces afterward. He allegedly put his phone on silent and stored it away, missing subsequent calls from the police. It was not until 3:30 AM that Thomas decided to inform rescue forces, after leaving Kerstin alone.

"At approximately 2 AM, Thomas abandoned his girlfriend, who was unprotected, exhausted, hypothermic, and unconscious, about 50 meters below the summit of Grossglockner. The woman froze to death", the prosecutor's statement said.

Through his lawyer, Thomas denies the charges, asserting he left to find help and that Kerstin's death was a "tragic accident".

Thomas Plamberger's trial is scheduled to begin in February 2026.

By Tue Anh (Daily Mirror, The Sun)