In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed in a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho.

• Madison Mogen (21), resident.
• Xana Kernodle (20), resident.
• Kaylee Goncalves (21), former resident visiting for the weekend.
• Ethan Chapin (20), Kernodle’s boyfriend, staying overnight.

The crime and lack of an immediate suspect sparked a large investigation in Moscow and drew national attention.

The Crime Scene

Cpl. Brett Payne documented the scene, including Xana Kernodle in the bedroom area, Ethan Chapin in the room, and Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen upstairs. Near the upstairs victims, Payne identified a leather knife sheath that later became a key piece of evidence.

Early Investigation

Surviving roommates, family members, and friends were interviewed. Officers canvassed nearby neighborhoods and collected surveillance video, including footage from cameras near the King Road area.

Breakthrough and Arrest

Forensic testing on the knife sheath produced a DNA profile. Investigators later linked the profile to Bryan Christopher Kohberger through investigative genetic genealogy, additional DNA comparison, vehicle surveillance, phone records, and other investigative steps.

On December 30, 2022, Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania. He was extradited to Idaho and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Date of Homicide: November 13, 2022
• Location: 1122 King Road, Moscow, Idaho, near the University of Idaho campus
• Victims: Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen
• Survivors: Two roommates were inside the home at the time of the attack
• Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds
• Key Evidence: Leather knife sheath with DNA, surveillance footage, cell phone records, vehicle data, and witness statements
• Suspect: Bryan Christopher Kohberger
• Arrest: December 30, 2022, Pennsylvania
• Charges: Four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary

November 12, 2022

• 2:30 PM: Kaylee called her mother after sending pictures and talking about the Pi Beta Phi party.
• 4:00 PM: Vandal football home game against UC Davis.
• 8:00 to 9:00 PM: Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle attended a party at Sigma Chi.
• 10:15 PM: Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen left the home.
• 10:20 PM: Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen arrived at The Corner Club Bar.

November 13, 2022

• 12:00 AM: Xana spoke to her father and told him she was home with her boyfriend.
• 1:00 AM: Dylan and Bethany returned home.
• 1:30 AM: Mogen and Goncalves left the Corner Club.
• 1:40 AM: Mogen and Goncalves appeared on the Grub Truck livestream.
• 1:45 AM: Ethan and Xana arrived at the King Road residence.
• 1:49 AM: A ride arrived to pick up Kaylee and Maddie from the Grub Truck area.
• 1:56 AM: Kaylee and Maddie arrived home.
• 2:10:29 AM: Dylan M. texted E.G. to ask if he was driving.
• 2:26 AM: Kaylee’s first call to Jack.
• 2:44 AM: A white sedan was captured on WSU campus surveillance traveling north on Southeast Nevada Street at Northeast Stadium Way in Pullman.
• 2:53 AM: The same white sedan was seen traveling southeast on Nevada Street toward State Route 270.
• 3:16 AM: Xana was using TikTok.
• 3:26 AM: The white sedan was seen westbound in the 700 block of Indian Hills Drive. The vehicle did not display a front license plate.
• 3:29 AM: Multiple sightings of the white sedan occurred near 1122 King Road.
• 3:59 AM: Xana received a DoorDash delivery.
• 4:00 AM: D.M. woke to what she believed was Kaylee playing with her dog upstairs.
• Shortly after: D.M. heard a female voice say something like, “There’s someone here.”
• 4:04 AM: The white sedan entered the King Road area again and appeared to attempt to park or turn around.
• 4:12 AM: Xana was reportedly awake during this period, with phone activity around this time.
• D.M.’s second door opening: D.M. heard crying sounds from Xana’s room and heard a male voice say, “It’s okay, I’m going to help you.”
• 4:17 AM: A nearby security camera recorded whimpering, a loud thud, and dog barking.
• D.M.’s third door opening: D.M. saw a figure in black clothing and a mask walking toward the sliding glass door.
• 4:19:07 AM: D.M. attempted to call B.F., Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen.
• 4:20 AM: The white sedan was observed leaving the King Road area at a high rate of speed.
• 4:22:08 to 4:24:27 AM: Text messages between D.M. and B.F. included concerns that no one was answering and that D.M. was frightened.
• 4:24:39 AM: D.M. called Ethan Chapin.
• 4:27:47 AM: D.M. called Goncalves.
• 4:28:44 AM: D.M. called Kernodle.
• 4:32:57 AM: D.M. texted Goncalves, “Pls answer.”
• 10:23:23 AM: D.M. sent additional texts to Goncalves and Mogen.
• 11:56 AM: A 911 call was placed to Whitcom dispatch from a surviving roommate’s phone.
• 12:00 PM: Law enforcement arrived and discovered the crime scene.
• 12:09 PM: Officer Mitch Nunes took a statement from D.M. outside 1122 King Road.
• 1:47 PM: Detective Lawrence Mowery interviewed D.M. at the Moscow Police Department.

Crime Scene Records

Records

911 Call Galleries

ISP Timed Runs at 1122 King Road (Nov. 21, 2022) Source

Idaho State Police Sgt. Darren Gilbertson conducted timed runs through the residence at 1122 King Road to estimate how long Bryan Kohberger could have taken to carry out the murders. ISP Det. Jeff Talbott and MPD Cpl. Brett Payne assisted.

• Entry and path assumption: Investigators believed the suspect parked in the paved lot south of the house and entered through the second-floor sliding glass door.
• Quick run: 1 minute 30 seconds.
• Deliberate run: 2 minutes 33 seconds.
• Short vehicle approach: about 30 seconds walking or 6 to 7 seconds running.
• Longer approach: about 1 minute walking or 10 to 12 seconds running.
• Conclusion: The route could be completed in roughly 2 minutes 6 seconds to 3 minutes 45 seconds depending on pace and path.

November 15, 2022

• Moscow Police stated that evidence indicated a targeted attack and that they did not believe there was an ongoing threat to community members.

November 16, 2022

• Moscow Police held a press conference. Source

November 17, 2022

• Autopsies showed the victims were stabbed multiple times, with some defensive wounds. No sexual assault was reported. Release
• D.M. was interviewed by ISP Det. Victoria Gooch and MPD Capt. Dustin Blaker. D.M. described a figure in black clothing, a ski-mask-style face covering, and bushy eyebrows.

November 18, 2022

• Detectives seized the contents of three dumpsters on King Road and contacted local businesses regarding fixed-blade knife purchases. Source

November 20 to 22, 2022

• The ISP lab detected a single male DNA source on the button snap of the knife sheath.
• The DNA profile was transported and submitted for additional identification work.

November 23 to 30, 2022

• Investigators ruled out the male repeatedly called by Kaylee and Madison.
• Police said they had no evidence supporting the stalker rumors.
• Moscow Police requested public assistance regarding a white Hyundai Elantra seen near the scene.
• WSU Police located and queried Bryan Kohberger’s white Hyundai Elantra.

December 1 to 29, 2022

• D.M. gave a follow-up interview and again described a figure in black with a mask and a bushy eyebrow or eyebrows.
• Investigators obtained DoorDash records.
• The FBI began wider DNA comparisons.
• Surveillance in Pennsylvania captured Kohberger’s Elantra.
• Investigators identified Kohberger through investigative genetic genealogy.
• Trash collected from the Kohberger family home produced familial DNA linking the sheath DNA to Kohberger’s father.
• Arrest and search warrants were prepared and signed.

December 30, 2022

• 1:14 AM EST: Pennsylvania SWAT raided the Kohberger family home.
• Kohberger was arrested and transported to a police station.
• The Hyundai Elantra was seized.
• Kohberger agreed to waive extradition to Idaho.

January 2023

• Kohberger waived extradition, returned to Idaho, and appeared in Latah County Court.
• The probable cause affidavit was released, outlining DNA, phone, and vehicle evidence.

Bryan Christopher Kohberger was born on November 21, 1994, in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, to Michael and MaryAnn Kohberger. He attended Pleasant Valley High School, Northampton Community College, DeSales University, and Washington State University.

Background

• 2013: Graduated from Pleasant Valley High School.
• 2016 to 2018: Attended Northampton Community College and earned an associate degree in psychology.
• 2018 to 2020: Continued studies at DeSales University, earning a bachelor’s degree.
• 2020 to 2022: Completed a master’s degree in criminal justice at DeSales University.
• June 2022: Moved to Pullman, Washington.
• August 2022: Began as a Ph.D. student and teaching assistant at Washington State University.

Timeline Prior to the Murders

• January 10, 2022: Kohberger purchased a black balaclava from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
• March 31, 2022: Kohberger submitted materials for a graduate research assistantship related to public safety.
• April 2022: Chief Jenkins interviewed Kohberger and other candidates for a police internship.
• July 2022: Kohberger lived at Steptoe Village Apartments on the WSU campus.
• August 21, 2022: Kohberger’s phone used cellular resources near the King Road residence, and he was stopped by a Latah County Sheriff’s deputy near Farm Road and Pullman Highway.
• Late October to early November 2022: Phone data and surveillance later showed Kohberger was in the vicinity of the victims’ house multiple times.

Indiana police officers pulled over Bryan Kohberger while he and his father were traveling east toward Pennsylvania. The Moscow Police had publicly asked for information on a white Hyundai Elantra seen near the crime scene.

• Kohberger’s car was a white Hyundai Elantra registered in Washington after previously being registered in Pennsylvania.
• On December 30, 2022, Pennsylvania SWAT raided his parents’ home.
• Kohberger was arrested and transported to Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
• Investigators seized the Hyundai Elantra.
• He waived extradition and was returned to Idaho.

Surveillance Review 11/13/22 Source

Moscow, Idaho, initial sightings

• 03:26:10 AM: Vehicle 1 seen driving westbound on Indian Hills Drive.
• 03:28:56 AM: Vehicle 1 traveling westbound on Styner Avenue, crossing Main Street, continuing westbound on Lauder Avenue.
• 03:29:48 AM: Vehicle 1 seen westbound on Taylor Avenue past Linda Lane.

Near the King Road and Queen Road area

• 03:30:22 AM: Vehicle 1 seen traveling southbound on King Road, turning east onto Queen Road.
• 03:33:01 AM: Vehicle 1 travels west on Queen Road, turning north onto King Road.
• 03:38:34 AM: Vehicle 1 seen southbound on King Road, turning east on Queen Road.
• 03:56:24 AM: Vehicle 1 travels south on King Road, turns east onto Queen Road.
• 04:04:56 AM: Vehicle 1 travels south on King Road, turns east onto Queen Road.
• 04:07:47 AM: Headlights seen turning north onto Queen Road, the last sighting near the crime scene for about 13 minutes.
• 04:20:47 AM: Vehicle 1 speeds westbound on Queen Road, turning north onto King Road.

Pullman, Washington

• 05:25 to 05:30 AM: Vehicle 1 appears on cameras again in Pullman and near the WSU campus.
• 09:12:59 AM: Vehicle 1 later seen southbound on Highway 95.

White Elantra / Bryan Kohberger vehicle travel gallery.

State Evidence Against Bryan Kohberger

Surveillance Footage

• Corner Club, Bagel Shop, Cafe Artista, Grub Truck, Linda Lane, Ridge Road, King Road area, Pullman, Clarkston, and other camera records.
• FBI review described Vehicle 1 movements around Moscow and Pullman on November 13, 2022.

Financial and Transaction Records

• Amazon financial and user records for Bryan Kohberger.
• AT&T records for Bryan Kohberger, Madison Mogen, and Xana Kernodle.
• Bank and transaction records for victims and surviving roommates.
• DoorDash records for Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
• Dick’s Sporting Goods sale record for Bryan Kohberger.

DoorDash and TikTok

• 3:59 AM: DoorDash delivery to 1122 King Road.
• 3:16 AM: Records indicate Xana Kernodle was on TikTok.

Mask Purchase

• January 10, 2022: Bryan Kohberger purchased a black balaclava from Dick’s Sporting Goods.

DNA Evidence

• DNA on the knife sheath was central to the investigation and later tied through familial DNA evidence.

Eyewitness Evidence

• D.M. described a male figure wearing black clothing and a mask, with bushy eyebrows.

State of Idaho v. Bryan C. Kohberger

2022

• December 29, 2022: Criminal complaint, affidavit, probable cause order, and arrest warrant.
• December 30, 2022: Invocation of rights, appointment of public defender, preservation motions, and foreign-jurisdiction arrest notice.

2023

• January 5, 2023: Extradition-related proceedings.
• May 15, 2023: D.M. testified before the grand jury.
• May 17, 2023: Grand jury indictment on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.
• May 22, 2023: Kohberger stood silent at arraignment, and the judge entered not guilty pleas.
• June 26, 2023: Prosecutors announced intent to seek the death penalty.

2024

• September 2024: Venue was changed due to concerns about jury bias in Latah County.
• October 2024: Jury selection and trial scheduling were addressed in Ada County.
• November to December 2024: Motions to suppress, seal, unseal, and address IGG evidence continued.

2025

• March 2025: Motions in limine and evidence disputes included the 911 call, vehicle evidence, and witness identification issues.
• June 30, 2025: Notice of hearing for plea hearing.
• July 2, 2025: Plea hearing. Kohberger entered guilty pleas to four counts of first-degree murder and one burglary count. The death penalty was removed as a sentencing option.
• July 23, 2025: Sentencing hearing.
• August 2025: Public records release disputes arose after redacted investigative materials were released by the City of Moscow.

Latah County CR29-22-2805

Timeline, WSU Institutional History and Kohberger Case

• 2007: A Washington State University Police Department internal audit found misconduct involving the police chief and inappropriate emails.
• 2011: Federal education officials fined WSU for Clery Act violations connected to prior sexual assault reporting.
• Prior to 2022: Kohberger had a documented history of addiction, theft-related allegations, and online posts describing emotional numbness and unusual thoughts.
• March 2022: WSU administrators learned of separate police misconduct allegations and internal investigations opened.
• August 2022: WSU police leadership changes occurred as Kohberger arrived in Pullman to begin his Ph.D. program and teaching assistant position.
• Fall 2022: Plaintiffs later alleged multiple women reported that Kohberger made them uncomfortable or unsafe.
• November 13, 2022: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were killed.
• July 2025: Kohberger pleaded guilty and investigative files began to be released.