Battered nuclear engineer appears in court after husband allegedly tried to push her to her death off cliff in Hawaii

The nuclear engineer whose anesthesiologist husband allegedly tried to kill her on a hike in Hawaii made her first public appearance in court on Friday while still bearing injuries reportedly sustained during the attack.

Renowned nuclear engineer Arielle Konig, 36, sported a clear stitch just below her right eye while she sat front and center at the first hearing for her 46-year-old husband Dr. Gerhardt Konig. She appeared to ask the court to extend her restraining order against Gerhardt.

The court granted Arielle’s request and Gerhardt will have to stay away from her and his two children until the order either expires or is extended again.

At the hearing, Arielle wore a black-and-white floral headscarf. The alleged attack left her critically injured and she required surgical treatment, but it is unclear if the headpiece was worn to conceal new scars.

Prosecutors said Arielle was attacked by her husband with a rock and multiple syringes containing an unknown substance before he attempted to shove her off a cliff. Police said the attack began after Arielle refused to take a photo at the edge of a scenic cliffside lookout.

Gerhardt then fled, and nearby hikers called 911 around 10:30 a.m. that morning. While Arielle’s injuries were treated at a nearby hospital, a six-hour manhunt for Gerhardt ensued. He was eventually captured following a foot pursuit and charged with attempted murder.

Arielle’s tumultuous six-year marriage was laid out in detail to the court on Friday. Gerhardt had apparently accused her of having an affair, while Arielle asserted that he sexually assaulted her.

The couple originally moved to their $1.5 million home in Maui in 2022 for Gerhardt’s “dream job.” They have two young children in their family, including at least one from Gerhardt’s prior marriage.

Gerhardt’s medical license is still active, but he was suspended by Maui Health while they launch an investigation.

Neither party spoke at the hearing beyond answering yes or no questions. Gerhardt appeared virtually, as he is still being held at a prison on Oahu, as reported by Hawaii News Now.

The criminal case will continue into May with a trial expected in June.