ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (BN24) — The body of German Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier may remain on the slopes of Pakistan’s Laila Peak following her tragic death this week, as authorities weigh a decision aligned with the athlete’s final wishes.
Dahlmeier, 31, a former biathlon champion who won two gold medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, was struck and killed by falling rocks while mountaineering in the Karakoram range. The accident occurred near the 18,700-foot mark on Laila Peak, a notoriously challenging summit located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
The German athlete had been climbing alongside fellow mountaineer Marina Eva Krauss when the rockfall struck. Krauss contacted emergency services on Monday, prompting a search effort that was delayed by severe weather conditions. Helicopters were able to access the site on Tuesday, and Dahlmeier’s body was located the following day.
In a statement released on her official Instagram account, her family confirmed that Dahlmeier had left explicit written instructions not to risk lives in an attempt to recover her body in the event of a fatal accident. “Her wish was that in this case her body should be left behind on the mountain,” the statement read, adding that her relatives have requested these wishes be fully respected.
Local authorities in Pakistan are currently deliberating on whether to honor the request. Faizullah Faraq, a regional government spokesperson, confirmed the family’s communication and reiterated that Dahlmeier’s expressed desire was to be buried in the mountains. “That was her dream,” he said. “Now her wish has been fulfilled, so we are considering whether we can leave her body there.”
Laila Peak, known for its sharp, spear-like summit, has been successfully ascended by only a handful of climbers—seven in total—due to its technical difficulty and dangerous conditions. The past week brought extreme weather to the area, including heavy rainfall, powerful winds, and dense cloud cover, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.
Dahlmeier retired from professional biathlon in 2019 at the height of her career, shifting focus to mountaineering and environmental advocacy. Her death has sparked widespread mourning in Germany and the global sporting community.
