Austrian man arrested for abandoning girlfriend on highest peak, leading to her death

A  39-year-old Austrian man has reportedly been charged after allegedly leaving his 33-year-old girlfriend to freeze to death on Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain.

The couple had been to the highest peak together, until he left her alone, leading to her death.

According to reports, the man, an experienced mountaineer from Salzburg, left her in the situation for more than six hours while he went to seek help. The woman, who was a bginner in high-altitude climbing, reportedly died due to severe winter conditions just 150 feet below the 12,460-foot summit.

Investigation reports reveal that the couple lacked proper emergency equipment, as the woman had put on unsuitable gear, a splitboard and soft snow boots, for the dangerous alpine terrain. The weather conditions were reportedly harsh, including 46mph winds and temperatures dropping to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Authorities allege the man ignored safety warnings, continued the climb despite his partner’s inexperience, and delayed calling for help until 3:30am, by which time rescuers found her dead. His lawyer calls it a tragic accident. 

The case will be heard on February 19, 2026. The report comes amid another recent climber death on Kyrgyzstan’s Pobeda Peak.