In the early hours of November 13, 2022, tragedy struck when four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed in an off-campus house while some of them were asleep. A neighbor’s home security video captured a white car circling the block multiple times, approaching the house repeatedly before speeding away 13 minutes later. This previously unseen footage obtained by “Dateline” sheds new light on the events surrounding the students’ murders, as prosecutors continue their investigation.
A special two-hour program on Friday will delve into suspect Bryan Kohberger’s movements and online activities before and after the shocking killings that rocked the community of Moscow, Idaho. Investigators have identified a white Hyundai Elantra, believed to be from 2011 to 2013, as a crucial piece of evidence in soliciting the public’s assistance to locate a suspect. This, along with DNA and cellphone data, links Kohberger to the crime scene. Despite driving a different vehicle, a white 2015 Elantra, cell tower data and phone records connect Kohberger to the vicinity of the rental house where the tragic events unfolded.
Phone data and internet searches retrieved by law enforcement suggest Kohberger had an interest in disturbing topics like serial killers and non-consensual pornography. Kohberger, a graduate student in criminology at Washington State University at the time, was eventually apprehended in Pennsylvania in late December 2022. He pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, with the defense hinting at the possibility of another suspect.
As the case progresses, with a trial scheduled to begin in August, the defense continues to emphasize Kohberger’s innocence and explores the concept of an alternate perpetrator. The motive behind the attack remains undisclosed by Latah County prosecutors, and a gag order limits public statements on the case. Kohberger’s legal team maintains that he was not present at the crime scene based on his late-night drives and cellphone data. The question of how Kohberger may have known the victims remains unanswered.
Bryan Kohberger’s interactions with the victims—Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—are shrouded in mystery. Following his relocation to Pullman, Washington, to pursue studies at Washington State University, Kohberger’s connection to the victims, if any, remains unclear. As the legal proceedings unfold, the search for justice continues, with the possibility of a life-altering outcome for the accused.
At a social gathering in Moscow, attendees shared their experiences of encountering Kohberger, with one former female graduate student recalling an awkward interaction where he added his number to her phone and later texted her mentioning their conversation about hiking. The text, which expressed enjoyment of the activity and asked for a response, struck the woman as oddly formal upon reflection. As the fall semester commenced, Kohberger, who was also a teaching assistant, engaged in other interactions that raised concerns among classmates and faculty, prompting complaints that eventually led to a discussion by a dean regarding his professional conduct.
Prosecutors revealed the discovery of DNA on a knife sheath near Mogen’s body, with testing indicating a statistical match to Kohberger. Utilizing genetic genealogy, investigators traced the source back to the Kohberger family home in Pennsylvania, where they retrieved trash for further analysis. The prosecution further alleged that Kohberger had purchased a specific type of knife from Amazon months prior to the murders, linking it to a similar sheath found at the crime scene.
Meanwhile, defense attorneys argued in court hearings that there were additional unidentified male DNA samples at the scene, hinting at the potential involvement of other suspects. Disputes arose between prosecutors and the defense over the admissibility of evidence for Kohberger’s trial, including 911 calls and text messages exchanged by two housemates present during the killings but unharmed physically.
In a recent development, Hippler, the presiding judge, permitted a surviving housemate to testify about encountering a masked intruder with distinctive “bushy eyebrows” at the residence. The defense objected to this description, contending it could unfairly prejudice the case against Kohberger.
