- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 07 Dec 2025 09:41 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
An Austrian woman has died after allegedly being abandoned by her boyfriend during a brutal alpine climb, sparking widespread shock and grief across Austria and beyond. The victim has been identified as Kerstin Gurtner, a native of Salzburg who often described herself online as a “winter child” and “mountain person.” Friends and family said she had a deep love for nature, though investigators said she was an inexperienced climber.
Her partner, Plamberger (39), has been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence. Prosecutors allege he acted as the de facto guide on the expedition and bears responsibility for the fatal outcome.
The couple attempted to climb Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain, in brutal winter conditions, reaching elevations above 12,000 feet as temperatures plunged to around -4°F (-20°C). Authorities said the pair became stranded around 8:50 pm, exhausted and disoriented near the summit.
According to the Innsbruck public prosecutor’s office, at around 2 am, Plamberger allegedly left Gurtner “unprotected, hypothermic and disoriented” just 50 metres below the summit cross.
Failure To Seek Help
Investigators said a police helicopter flew over the area at around 10:50 pm, but no distress signal was made. Prosecutors claim Plamberger made his first emergency call at 1:35 am, then switched his phone to silent mode, missing return calls. About 30 minutes later, he allegedly abandoned Gurtner on the icy slope without using available emergency blankets or a bivouac sack to protect her. Webcam footage later showed only one headtorch moving away from the summit.
Rescue Delays And Discovery
Rescue teams were unable to reach the area immediately due to strong winds and dangerous weather. When they finally arrived the next morning, they found Gurtner’s body frozen near a makeshift camp close to the summit.
Plamberger reportedly survived the ordeal and was taken for questioning. He now faces a potential sentence of up to three years in prison if convicted. His lawyer has described the incident as a “tragic, fateful accident.”
Friends and family have created an online memorial page for Gurtner, where hundreds of tributes describe her as a “wonderful” and “loving” person. Messages remember her as a beloved daughter, sister, godmother, partner and friend.