In late 2022, Bryan Kohberger, a 27-year-old doctoral student in criminology at Washington State University, faced challenges in his professional role amidst growing concerns about his behavior. Just weeks before the November 13 stabbings that claimed the lives of four University of Idaho students, Kohberger’s cellphone records revealed troubling online activities, including searches for ‘Sociopathic Traits’ and disturbing pornographic content. He was reported to have shown an unhealthy interest in female students, with his browsing history containing dozens of pictures of them.
On the night of the murders, Kohberger’s phone was linked to the King Road area of Moscow, Idaho, where the victims—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin—were killed. Security footage also captured a white Hyundai Elantra, matching Kohberger’s vehicle, near the crime scene just before and after the estimated time of the stabbings.
Witnesses reported that earlier in the month, Kohberger had been seen at a pool party in Moscow, and his phone data indicated multiple trips to the area leading up to the murders. Following the incident, he returned to his family home in Pennsylvania, where law enforcement subsequently gathered DNA evidence to link him to the crimes.
Kohberger was arrested in December 2022 and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. He has pleaded not guilty, claiming innocence and suggesting the possibility of an alternate suspect. His trial is set to begin in August 2023, amidst significant media attention and public interest in the case. If convicted, he faces the possibility of the death penalty.
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