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February 20, 2026

Climber convicted of manslaughter after leaving girlfriend on Austria’s highest peak to seek help

Thomas P given five-month suspended prison sentence and €9,400 fine over death of Kerstin G by gross negligence

Climber convicted of manslaughter after leaving girlfriend on Austria’s highest peak to seek help

TL;DR

  • Thomas P, 37, was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter over the death of his girlfriend, Kerstin G, on Austria's highest peak in January 2025.
  • He received a five-month suspended sentence and a €9,400 fine.
  • The court heard Kerstin G was exhausted and suffering from hypothermia when Thomas P left her to seek help, failing to use emergency equipment available to her.
  • The judge ruled that Thomas P, being the more experienced climber, bore responsibility for Kerstin G's death.
  • The ruling is considered significant and may set a precedent for liability in mountain sports internationally.
  • A former girlfriend testified that Thomas P had abandoned her on a previous climb.

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