The woman who allegedly froze to death after being abandoned near the summit of Austria’s highest mountain has been identified as 33-year-old Kerstin Gurtner, reports say.
Gurtner died on January 19 less than 150 feet below the peak of Grossglockner during a night climb led by her boyfriend, 39-year-old experienced mountaineer Thomas Plamberger. Gurtner, who described herself on social media as a “winter child” and a “mountain person,” reportedly had little experience with high-altitude alpine climbing.
Plamberger has been charged with negligent homicide for planning and guiding the demanding winter ascent, which required the pair to climb more than 12,000 feet in temperatures around –4°F. According to the Innsbruck public prosecutor’s office, the couple became effectively stranded from about 8:50 p.m.
Prosecutors say the pair spotted a police helicopter at roughly 10:50 p.m., but Plamberger did not call for help or signal distress. Webcam footage later showed their temporary camp high on the mountain, where Gurtner was eventually found dead.
Authorities allege that around 2:00 a.m., Plamberger left Gurtner “exhausted, hypothermic and disoriented” roughly 50 meters below the summit cross and failed to use available emergency blankets to protect her. He is accused of ascending alone toward the peak before descending without her; a trail camera captured him heading down at about 2:30 a.m. Plamberger reportedly contacted emergency services at 3:30 a.m., by which time Gurtner had succumbed to the conditions.
Plamberger’s attorney, Kurt Jelinek, has called the death a “tragic, fateful accident.” Tributes have appeared on a memorial page for Gurtner, with friends and strangers offering condolences. Plamberger has been charged and his trial is expected to begin in February; if convicted he faces up to three years in prison.
