Overview
- The 37-year-old was found guilty of grossly negligent homicide and received a five‑month suspended sentence plus a fine of about €9,400 after a roughly 13‑hour hearing.
- The court cited a series of serious errors, including inadequate planning and equipment, failure to turn back in severe conditions, and late, flawed communication with rescuers.
- The defendant said his partner urged him to seek help—“Go now, go!”—but mountain rescue disputed that his 00:30 call conveyed an emergency and noted unanswered callbacks and no signals to an overflying helicopter.
- A medical expert confirmed the 33‑year‑old died of hypothermia, and a former partner testified he had previously left her alone on the Großglockner during a night ascent.
- The ruling is not yet final and has intensified discussion in the alpine community about when a higher‑skilled climber assumes legal duty on private tours.