Idaho College Murders: Everything We Know About Bryan Kohberger and the Shocking Case

Four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death in November 2022, and the case has gripped the country ever since. Now that the alleged killer, Bryan Kohberger, began his trial on October 26, more information has been discovered. For a complete timeline and updates on the case, read on.

Idaho college students killed

On November 13, 2022, University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, and Xana Kernodle were found dead in their shared off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. The authorities revealed that the young people were probably killed while they slept.

Hours before they were stabbed, Goncalves and Mogen went to a local club, while Ethan and Xana attended a frat party at Sigma Chi.

Were there any survivors?

There are two survivors of the murders: roommates Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen. Mortensen reportedly claimed to have seen the killer on November 13. He described the killer as “a figure dressed in black and a mask” and locked himself in his room while watching him walk around the house.

Bethany initially resisted the legal request to testify in court. Meanwhile, Kohberger’s defense team was pushing for her to appear in court in Idaho because they believed Funke’s testimony could exonerate Kohberger. However, she eventually agreed to testify in Nevada during Kohberger’s preliminary hearing in Idaho.

Bryan Kohberger identified as suspect

A month after their deaths, police identified Kohberger, a doctoral student in criminology from Washington State, as the suspect. He was arrested and charged in Pennsylvania with four counts of first-degree murder and robbery. Police said they linked Kohberger to the crime scene through forensic analysis of a leather knife sheath. The DNA was very similar to Kohberger’s, authorities said.

Bryan Kohberger goes to trial

During his preliminary hearing in January 2023, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, and the trial was initially scheduled for June 26. A grand jury officially indicted Kohberger on four counts of first-degree murder and robbery. At the time he pleaded not guilty.

Kohberger’s trial date was ultimately postponed to October 26. His defense team argues that the grand jury indictment lacked sufficient evidence linking Kohberger to the crime scene and that the jurors were biased in their decision.

Bryan Kohberger’s alibi revealed

In August 2023, Kohberger’s defense lawyers presented his alibi, in which he stated that he was driving at the time of the murders.

“Mr. Kohberger has long been in the habit of driving alone,” court documents say of Kohberger’s alibi. “Sir. Kohberger does not claim to be at a specific location at a specific time; At this time, there is no specific witness who can say precisely where Mr. Kohberger was at any time between the early hours of November 12, 2022 and the early hours of November 13, 2022”.