Thomas Plamberger is on trial for culpable homicide after his girlfriend died from freezing during a mountaineering trip in Austria, with inconsistencies in his testimony raising doubts about his account of events.
Thomas Plamberger, a 39-year-old man, is facing charges of culpable homicide following the tragic death of his girlfriend, 33-year-old Kerstin Gurtner, who froze to death during a mountaineering expedition on Austria's Grossglockner mountain. Authorities have raised questions about Plamberger's account after Gurtner's body was found in a different location from what he reported, indicating that she may have attempted to descend alone. This inconsistency has led to further scrutiny of Plamberger's actions during the final moments of their climb.
The trial commenced in Innsbruck, where the prosecution has presented claims that Plamberger abandoned Gurtner while she was suffering from extreme exhaustion and hypothermia. Conditions at the time of the incident were perilous with temperatures dropping to minus 20 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the hazards faced during their ascent. Prosecutors rely on eyewitness testimonies and expert evaluations to demonstrate that Plamberger's negligence might have contributed to Gurtner's fate.
Judge Norbert Hofer highlighted evidence that contradicts Plamberger's narrative during the proceedings, specifically showcasing a photograph of Gurtner's body discovered lodged against a rocky wall. This visual evidence has been pivotal in questioning the integrity of Plamberger's statements and whether he acted in a manner that failed to prioritize Gurtner's safety, which could ultimately lead to significant legal repercussions depending on the court's findings in this high-profile case.
