Archive · 5 Dec 2025
Austrian Man Charged in Girlfriend's Mountain Death
A man from Austria is in trouble because he left his girlfriend alone on a very tall mountain during a snowstorm.
She was not dressed properly and was very tired and cold.
He went to get help but left her alone for a long time.
When rescuers found her, she had already died.
The man says it was an accident, but he might go to jail for up to three years because he didn't take care of her like he should have.
They started climbing late and didn't have the right safety stuff.
It was very windy and super cold, which made it even more dangerous.
The man's phone was on silent, so he missed calls from rescuers.
He only called for help very late at night, and by the time they found the woman, it was too late.
The man's trial will happen in 2026.
A 39-year-old Austrian man is charged with manslaughter after allegedly abandoning his 33-year-old girlfriend on Grossglockner mountain
The woman, a beginner climber, died from exposure after being left exhausted and hypothermic 150 feet below the summit
The man, an experienced mountaineer, left her for over six hours while seeking help and faces up to three years in prison
Authorities claim he ignored danger signs, continued despite her inexperience, and failed to call emergency services before nightfall
The couple started late, lacked proper equipment, and faced extreme weather conditions including 46mph winds and -20°C temperatures
- Who
- A 39-year-old Austrian man and his 33-year-old girlfriend
- What
- The man is charged with manslaughter after allegedly abandoning his girlfriend on a mountain, leading to her death
- When
- The incident occurred in January, with the court case scheduled for February 19, 2026
- Where
- Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain
- Why
- The man is accused of gross negligence in failing to ensure his girlfriend's safety during the climb
- Victim's Age
- 33
- Victim's Experience
- Beginner in high-altitude climbing
- Mountain
- Grossglockner
- Summit Height
- 12,460 feet
- Distance from Summit
- 150 feet
- Accused's Age
- 39
- Accused's Experience
- Experienced mountaineer
- Charge
- Manslaughter by gross negligence
- Maximum Sentence
- 3 years
- Date of Incident
- January
- Weather Conditions
- 46mph winds, -20°C
- Time Left Alone
- 6+ hours
- Time of Distress Call
- 3:30am
- Time of Death Discovery
- 10am
- Court Date
- February 19, 2026