Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology student at the University of Idaho, is accused of a horrific quadruple homicide that took place in November. Kohberger allegedly stalked his victims using cellphone data, and evidence suggests he was careful not to leave any fingerprints in public as he fled the state. Now he is being held without bail in Pennsylvania, awaiting extradition to Idaho to face four murder charges.
Kohberger’s alleged victims were Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20. All four were found dead in a Moscow, Idaho, apartment in the early morning hours of November 13th. The victims were reportedly killed as they were sleeping.
The evidence that linked Kohberger to the crimes included his white Hyundai Elantra, which was seen near the crime scene, and DNA evidence which was found at the scene. This evidence was run through a public database, and eventually traced back to Kohberger. After the FBI tracked Kohberger for four days, he was arrested in a pre-dawn raid at his parent’s house in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.
Kohberger had been a teacher’s assistant at the University of Idaho before his arrest. He had also been employed as a part-time security guard at Pleasant Valley High School in Pennsylvania, where classmates reportedly mocked him for being socially inept and overweight. Kohberger is currently on suicide watch in the Monroe County Correctional Facility. His attorney, Jason LaBar, said that Kohberger is eager to be exonerated and wants to waive his extradition hearing to be sent back to Idaho to face the charges as quickly as possible.
The murder weapon in the case—a fixed-blade knife—has yet to be found, and experts are curious to find out whether Kohberger came prepared. Did he wear gloves and a Tyvek suit? Was he covering his hair? Did he wear booties over his shoes? These are all questions that investigators are hoping to answer as the case progresses.
Kohberger’s actions demonstrate a certain level of arrogance and confidence that he could carry out these murders and not get caught. Prof. Joseph Giacalone of John Jay College of Criminal Justice believes that Kohberger thought he was smarter than the cops because of the criminal justice and criminology classes he was taking. However, Giacalone points out that experience trumps academics every day of the week, and it is likely that Kohberger’s arrogance that ended up leading him to his downfall.
