When Does Walking Away Become a Crime?
In January 2025, experienced climber Thomas Plamberger and his girlfriend, 33-year-old Kerstin Gurtner, set out to climb Austria's tallest mountain via the technical Stüdlgrat route. As a winter storm moved in, temperat…Show less
In January 2025, experienced climber Thomas Plamberger and his girlfriend, 33-year-old Kerstin Gurtner, set out to climb Austria's tallest mountain via the technical Stüdlgrat route. As a winter storm moved in, temperatures dropped below zero and visibility disappeared, but the couple continued climbing despite worsening conditions. Even after a rescue helicopter repeatedly flew overhead, Thomas never signaled that they needed help.
Just 50 meters below the summit, Kerstin became too exhausted and disoriented to continue. Thomas later said they agreed he would climb over the summit and descend the easier route while she waited. Prosecutors argued he abandoned her without leaving vital emergency gear, then didn't call for help until he reached a mountain hut hours later. By the time rescuers reached Kerstin the following morning, she had died from exposure.
Investigators used GPS data, rescue call records, and witness testimony to challenge Thomas's version of events. The court also heard from an ex-girlfriend who testified that Thomas had abandoned her on the same mountain years earlier. In 2026, he was convicted of grossly negligent manslaughter after the judge ruled that, as the more experienced climber, he had a duty to protect Kerstin and that his decisions contributed to her death.
#TrueCrimeRecaps #AlpineDivorce #ThomasPlamberger #KerstinGurtner #MountainTragedy #Hiking
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Just 50 meters below the summit, Kerstin became too exhausted and disoriented to continue. Thomas later said they agreed he would climb over the summit and descend the easier route while she waited. Prosecutors argued he abandoned her without leaving vital emergency gear, then didn't call for help until he reached a mountain hut hours later. By the time rescuers reached Kerstin the following morning, she had died from exposure.
Investigators used GPS data, rescue call records, and witness testimony to challenge Thomas's version of events. The court also heard from an ex-girlfriend who testified that Thomas had abandoned her on the same mountain years earlier. In 2026, he was convicted of grossly negligent manslaughter after the judge ruled that, as the more experienced climber, he had a duty to protect Kerstin and that his decisions contributed to her death.
#TrueCrimeRecaps #AlpineDivorce #ThomasPlamberger #KerstinGurtner #MountainTragedy #Hiking
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNbo_wIXXSbeJC5VoauEeVg/join
SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE SHOW!
𝐓𝐚𝐩 ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/truecrimerecaps?sub_confirmation=1 FOR ALL THE CRIME IN HALF THE TIME! 🎥 Hit 🔔 for a heads up when it's time to weigh in on a new True Crime Recaps episode with Amy and Chris.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: https://bit.ly/TrueCrimeRecapsPodcast
(Or anywhere you get your podcasts!) Chris and Amy team up to bring you TWICE the crime in half the time. Don't miss it.
GET SOCIAL!
Instagram: http://instagram.com/truecrimerecaps
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrueCrimeRecapsVideos
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrueCrimeRecaps
The whole deal: https://truecrimerecaps.com
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