Mother Defends Son-in-Law in Manslaughter Trial Following Girlfriend's Death on Austrian Mountain

The mother of a woman who froze to death on an Austrian mountain has defended her son-in-law as he faces trial for manslaughter. Kerstin Gurtner, 33, died in January 2024 just 150 feet below the summit of Grossglockner, Austria's highest peak, as temperatures dropped to -20°C. Her boyfriend, Thomas Plamberger, 39, is accused of abandoning her in a life-threatening situation. The case has sparked intense debate about responsibility, preparedness, and the risks of extreme mountain climbing.

Gertraud Gurtner, Kerstin's mother, has publicly criticized the media and legal system for painting her daughter as naïve and Plamberger as a reckless partner. She insists the couple made decisions together and that Kerstin was not an inexperienced climber. 'There's a witch hunt against him in the media and online,' Gertraud told German newspaper Die Zeit. 'My daughter's death was the result of a tragic chain of circumstances, not a single person's fault.'

The trial in Innsbruck will examine whether Plamberger, an experienced mountaineer, failed to protect his partner. Prosecutors allege he left Kerstin 'exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented' after she collapsed on the mountain. Webcam footage captured the couple's headtorches glowing as they ascended Grossglockner, but by midnight, only one light remained. Rescue teams were delayed for hours by hurricane-force winds, and Kerstin was found dead the next day.

Kerstin's social media page is filled with photos of her and Plamberger hiking and climbing. She described herself as a 'mountain person' and 'winter child,' but prosecutors argue she was ill-equipped for the climb. Kerstin wore snowboard boots instead of proper hiking gear, and the couple did not carry sufficient emergency supplies. Investigators analyzed their phones, watches, and photos, concluding Plamberger made critical errors.

Plamberger's lawyer, Kurt Jelinek, has denied the charges, calling the incident a 'tragic, fateful accident.' He claims Plamberger turned back to seek help, not abandon Kerstin. Prosecutors, however, say he failed to move her to a sheltered area and did not use rescue blankets. They argue that despite his experience, he ignored the dangers of the weather and the inexperience of his partner.

The tragedy has raised urgent questions about mountain safety, communication in emergencies, and the responsibilities of experienced climbers. Gertraud Gurtner emphasizes that Kerstin was not reckless. 'She loved the mountains, but she approached them with humility and respect,' she said. 'That she died where she felt most alive is almost incomprehensible to me.'

As the trial begins, the community grapples with the broader risks of outdoor recreation and the thin line between adventure and disaster. Kerstin's funeral notice read: 'Our lives are in God's hands; if it is His will, then do not grieve for me. But remember me with love.' Her family's grief and the legal battle over Plamberger's actions continue to shape the narrative of a tragedy that has left a lasting mark on Austria's climbing community.