Idaho College Murders

Fall 2022

During the fall 2022 semester, five female University of Idaho students resided in a rented off-campus house in the rural college town of Moscow, Idaho. The three-story residence featured six bedrooms, with two located on each floor.

November 2022

In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students were brutally stabbed to death in a shared rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho. Two of the victims, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, lived in the house and worked at the same local restaurant. The third victim, Kaylee Goncalves, had recently moved out but was back visiting to attend a nearby party. The fourth victim, Ethan Chapin, was Kernodle’s boyfriend who was staying over that night. Two other female roommates also lived in the house but were not attacked.

November 2022

The two surviving roommates reportedly returned home by 1 a.m. Initially, it was believed both had been sleeping in their ground-floor bedrooms during the murders, neither attacked nor held hostage, and unaware of the events. However, the probable cause affidavit later revealed that one of the roommates had been sleeping on the second floor, where Kernodle and Chapin were located. This roommate was awakened by sounds resembling Goncalves and her dog. She later heard a roommate say something like, “There’s someone here.” Initially, she thought it was Goncalves who spoke, though investigators suggested it may have been Kernodle, as a forensic download of Kernodle’s phone showed she was active on TikTok at 4:12 a.m.

The roommate explained that she opened her bedroom door twice in quick succession. The second time, she heard crying coming from Kernodle’s room and a male voice saying, “It’s okay, I’m going to help you.” Nearby security cameras captured sounds of whimpering, a loud thud, and repeated barking from Goncalves’s dog around 4:17 a.m. When the roommate opened her door a third time, she saw a figure dressed in black clothing with a mask covering his mouth and nose walking toward her. The man, whom she did not recognize, walked past her and exited through the sliding glass door. Frozen in shock, she locked herself in her room.

The four victims were found fatally stabbed in their beds on the second and third floors. None had been gagged or restrained, though blood spattered the walls. Mogen and Goncalves were discovered together in Mogen’s bedroom, while Kernodle and Chapin were in Kernodle’s room.

Before a 911 call was made, the surviving roommates reportedly contacted friends, believing one of the victims on the second floor was unconscious and not waking up. At 11:58 a.m.—over seven hours after the estimated time of the murders—someone used one of the surviving roommate’s phones to call 911, reporting an “unconscious person.” Police later clarified that the caller was not a suspect. Upon arrival, officers found the home’s door open, with no signs of forced entry or damage inside, and nothing appeared to be missing. The surviving roommates and several friends were present when police arrived.

All four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and detectives estimate the murders occurred between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m. During the investigation, officers found Goncalves’s dog alive and unharmed on the third floor. The dog, which Goncalves shared with her ex-boyfriend, was taken into custody by animal control.

Timeline of Events: Idaho College Murders

In the early morning of November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students were found fatally stabbed at an off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho. On December 30, Bryan Christopher Kohberger, 28, was arrested in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

November 12, 2022

Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle attend a party at the Sigma Chi fraternity house from 8 PM to 9 PM.
Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen go to a local bar called The Corner Club between 10 PM and 1:30 AM.

November 13, 2022

1:40 AM: Goncalves and Mogen are seen at a food truck before getting a ride home from a “private party” driver.
1:45 AM: All four victims are back at the King Road house. Two other roommates, who were not harmed, were also at home.
2:47 AM: Multiple calls are made from Goncalves’ phone to her ex-boyfriend; similar calls are made from Mogen’s phone.
4:00 AM Xana Kernodle awake and received DoorDash delivery
4:12 AM Xana Kernodle reportedly awake during this period. Forensic evidence suggests Kernodle was using her phone around 4:12 a.m.
9:00 AM: One of the surviving roommates wakes up and notices the door to Goncalves and Mogen’s room closed, but assumes they are asleep.
11:58 AM: A 911 call is made from one of the surviving roommates’ phones, reporting an unconscious person. Officers arrive to find the four victims dead.
The Moscow Police does not believe there is an ongoing community risk based on information gathered during the preliminary investigation.

November 15, 2022

Moscow PD released a statement: We determined early in the investigation that we do not believe there is an ongoing threat to community members. Evidence indicates that this was a targeted attack.

November 16, 2022

Moscow PD press conference https://youtu.be/Zq48P7ebOQI

November 17, 2022

Autopsies reveal the victims were stabbed multiple times, and some had defensive wounds. Release

The coroner stated that the four victims were likely asleep, some had defensive wounds, and each was stabbed multiple times. There was no sign of sexual assault

November 18, 2022

Detectives seized the contents of three dumpsters on King Road to locate possible evidence. Additionally, detectives have contacted local businesses to determine if a fixed-blade knife had been recently purchased.
Moscow Police Chief James Fry says the investigation will continue, with “the people working on this going until we come to a conclusion.”

November 19, 2022

Police say they have no identified suspects and that the victims were likely attacked while they were sleeping.

November 22, 2022

Moscow PD Detectives continue to look for the weapon. The type of knife thought to be used in the attacks is believed to be a fix-blade knife.

November 25, 2022

Gov. Brad Little has directed up to $1 million in state emergency funds for the ongoing investigation.
Stabbing in Pullman, Washington, and the 2021 double stabbing (with one death) in Salem, Oregon. While these cases share similarities with the King Street homicides, there does not appear to be any evidence to support the cases are related.

November 27, 2022

78 calls for unusual circumstances and 36 requests to check the welfare of loved ones, an increase from 70 and 18, respectively, for all of October

November 30, 2022

Moscow PD Detectives confirm the victims were located on the second and third floors of the residence.
Moscow PD Detectives seeking help from residents and businesses within the area of West Taylor Ave (north boundary), West Palouse River Dr (south boundary), Highway 95 south to the 2700 block of Highway 95 S (east boundary), and Arboretum & Botanical Garden (west boundary)
Investigators announce they are looking for the occupants of a white Hyundai Elantra seen near the crime scene.

November 23, 2022

Moscow PD Do not believe the male Kaylee and Madison attempted to contact numerous times on November 13th is involved in this crime.
Kaylee mentioned having a stalker, but detectives have been unable to corroborate the statement.

December 7, 2022

Moscow Police confirm they have received thousands of tips about the Hyundai Elantra.

December 28, 2022

Pennsylvania State Police became aware of the objective of arresting Mr. Kohberger via Moscow Police Cpl. Payne.

December 29, 2022

4:44 PM EDT (1:44 PDT), a Magistrate in Pennsylvania issued a search warrant for 119 Lamsden Dr., Chestnut Hill Twp., Monroe County, the home of Bryan Kohberger’s parents.
2:22 PM PDT, the Magistrate in this matter signed an arrest warrant for Mr. Kohberger in Latah County. The affidavit for the warrant was signed by Moscow Police Department Cpl. Payne.
2:43 PM a criminal complaint and probable cause order were filed in this matter.
10:00 PM EDT (7:00 PM PDT), Pennsylvania SWAT began preparations to arrest Mr. Kohberger.
11:15 PM Pennsylvania law enforcement started surveilling Bryan Kohberger

December 30, 2022

1:14 AM Pennsylvania SWAT raided Kohberger’s parents’ home
Kohberger made statements to his arresting officers. He was transported to a police station in Stroudsburg, PA, and made statements during transport.
Kohberger was processed, during which police collected information about his person.
During interrogation, before requesting an attorney, Mr. Kohberger made statements to interrogators from the Idaho State Police and the Moscow Police Department.
4:00 AM EDT on December 30, 2023, Pennsylvania State Police filed a criminal complaint
Bryan Kohberger is arrested in Pennsylvania, and the Hyundai Elantra is seized.
Kohberger appears in court in Pennsylvania and agrees to be extradited to Idaho.

January 4, 2023

Kohberger arrives in Idaho and is formally charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

January 5, 2023

Idaho authorities unseal the affidavit that details evidence leading to Kohberger’s arrest.

Bryan Christopher Kohberger

Bryan Kohberger

Bryan Christopher Kohberger, born on November 21, 1994, in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania to Michael and MaryAnn Kohberger.

Bryan Kohberger was raised in Albrightsville by his parents, Michael and MaryAnn Kohberger. He has two older sisters, Amanda and Melissa.

In 2013 Kohberger graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania. He then attended Northampton Community College, earning an associate degree in psychology in 2018.

In 2018, he earned an associate degree in psychology from Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He continued his studies at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in 2020 and a master’s degree in criminal justice in 2022 He continued his studies at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in 2020 and completed graduate studies in May 2022

Kohberger moved to Washington state to pursue a PhD at Washington State University in Pullman campus which is less than eight miles west of Moscow ID. August 2022, Kohberger began pursuing a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, Washington. He also served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Court Records

Moscow Idaho Murder Case

Moscow PD Investigation Timeline

King Road Homicide – Bryan Kohberger

August 21, 2022,

the 8458 Phone utilized cellular resources providing coverage to the King Road Residence from approximately 10:34 p.m. to 11:35 p.m. At approximately 11:37 p.m., Kohberger was stopped by Latah County Sheriffs Deputy CPL Duke, as mentioned above. The 8548 Phone was utilizing cellular resources consistent with the location of the traffic stop during this time (Farm Road and Pullman Highway).

November 13, 2022

2:00 am Occupants of the King Road Residence were at home by 2:00 a-m. and asleep or at least in their rooms by approximately 4:00 a.m.
2:42 a.m., Bryan Kohberger – 8458 Phone was utilizing cellular resources that provide coverage to 1630 Northeast Valley Road, Apt G201, Pullman, WA, hereafter the “Kohberger Residence.”
2:44 a.m. on November 13, 2022, a white sedan, which was consistent with the description of the White Elantra known as Suspect Vehicle 1, was observed on WSU surveillance cameras traveling north on southeast Nevada Street at northeast Stadium Way.
2:47 a.m., the 8458 Phone utilized cellular resources that provide coverage southeast of the Kohberger Residence consistent with the 8458 Phone leaving the Kohberger Residence and traveling south through Pullman, WA Same time 2:47 a.m. the 8458 Phone stops reporting to the network.
2:53 a.m., a white sedan, which is consistent with the description of the White Elantra known as Suspect Vehicle 1, was observed traveling southeast on Nevada Street in Pullman, WA towards SR 270. SR 270 connects Pullman, Washington to Moscow, Idaho
3:29 a.m. approximately in Moscow. A review of camera footage indicated that a white sedan, hereafter “Suspect Vehicle 1”, was observed traveling westbound in the 700 block of Indian Hills Drive in Moscow at) approximately 3:26 a.m and westbound on Styner Avenue at Idaho State Highway 95 in Moscow at approximately 3:28 a.m. On this video, it appeared Suspect Vehicle 1 was not displaying a front license plate.
4:00 am Except for Kenrodle, who received a Door Dash order at the residence at approximately 4:00 am (law enforcement identified the Door Dash delivery driver who reported this information). D.M. stated she originally went to sleep in her bedroom on the southeast side of the second floor. D.M.
4:00 am she was awoken at approximately 4:00 a-m. by what she stated sounded like Goncalves playing with her dog in one of the upstairs bedrooms, which were located on the third floor. A short time later, D.M. said she heard who she thought was Goncalves say something to the effect of “there’s someone here.” D.M. stated she looked out of her bedroom but did not see anything
4:04 a.m. was The fourth time driving eastbound on King Road, stopping and turning around in front of 500 Queen Road #52, and then driving back westbound on King Road. When Suspect Vehicle 1 is in front of the King Road Residence, it appeared to attempt to park or turn around unsuccessfully and make u-turn
4:12 am Kernodle’s phone showed this could also have been Kenrodle as her cellular phone indicated she was likely awake and using the TikTok app at approximately 4:12 a.m. D M. stated she opened her door a second time when she heard what she thought was crying coming from Kernodle’s room. D.M. then said she heard a male voice say something to the effect of “it’s ok, I’m going to help you.”
4:17 a.m., a security camera located at 1112 King Road, a residence immediately to the northwest of 1122 King Road, picked up distorted audio of what sounded like voices, or a whimper followed by a loud thud. A dog can also be heard barking numerous times starting at 4:17 a.m. D.M. stated she opened her door for the third time after she heard the crying and saw a figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the person’s mouth and nose walking towards her. D.M. described the figure as 5’10” or taller, male, not very muscular, but athletically built with bushy eyebrows. The male walked past D.M. as she stood in a “frozen shock phase.” The male walked towards the back sliding glass door. D.M. locked herself back in her room.
4:20 a.m. White Sedan at a high-speed rate departing the King Road Residence area at a high rate of speed. Suspect Vehicle 1 is next observed traveling southbound on Walenta Drive
5:25 a.m., a white sedan, which was consistent with the description of Suspect Vehicle 1, was observed on five cameras in Pullman, WA and on WSU Campus cameras. The first camera that recorded the white sedan was located at 1300 Johnson Road in Pullman.
5:27 a.m., the White Elantra was observed on cameras traveling northbound on Stadium Way at Nevada Street, Stadium Way at Grimes Way, Stadium Drive at Wilson Road, and Stadium Way at Cougar Way. 8458 Phone’s movements are consistent with the movements of the white Elantra that is observed traveling north on Stadium Drive at approximately 5:27 a.m. Based on a review of the 8458 Phone’s estimated locations and travel, the 8458 Phone’s travel is consistent with that of the white Elantra.
4:50 a.m. and 5:26 a.m., the phone utilizes cellular resources that are consistent with the 8458 Phone traveling south on ID state highway 95 to Genesee, ID, then traveling west towards Uniontown, ID, and then north back into Pullman, WA.
5:30 a.m the 8458 Phone is utilizing resources that provide coverage to Pullman, WA and consistent with the phone traveling back to the Kohberger Residence.
9:00 a.m. Phone traveling to Moscow, ID – 8458 Phone leaving the area of the Kohberger Residence at approximately 9:00 a.m. and traveling to Moscow, ID.
9:12 a.m. The 8458 Phone next utilized cellular resources that are consistent with the 8458 Phone traveling back to the area of the Kohberger Residence
9:32 a.m. 8458 Phone next utilized cellular resources that are consistent with the 8458 Phone traveling back to the area of the Kohberger Residence and arriving to the area.

November 13, 2022

12:36 p.m., BK’s 8458 Phone utilized cellular resources that would provide coverage to Kate’s Cup of Joe coffee stand located at 810
12:46 p.m., the 8458 Phone then utilized cellular data in the Albertson’s grocery store area at 400 Bridge Street in Clarkston, Washington.
1:04 p.m. Kohberger’s leave the store November 13, 2022 5:32 p.m. and 5:36 p.m., 8458 Phone indicated utilized cellular resources that provide coverage to Johnson, ID.
5:36 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The 8458 Phone then stops reporting to the network from approximately 5:36 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. That is consistent with the 8458 Phone being the area that the 8458 Phone traveled in the hours immediately following the suspected time the homicides occurred.
Port Drive, Clarkston, WA. Surveillance footage from the US Chef’s Store located at 820 Port Drive, Clarkston, WA and adjacent to Kate’s Cup of Joe showed a white Elantra, consistent with Suspect Vehicle 1, drive past Kate’s Cup of Joe at a time consistent with the cellular data from the 8548 Phone.

November 14, 2022,

The 8458 Phone has not connected to any towers that provide service to Moscow since that date.

November 25, 2022,

MPD asked area law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for a white Hyundai Elantra

November 29, 2022,

12:28 a.m., Washington State University (WSU) Police Officer located a 2015 white Elantra with a Pennsylvania license plate LFZ•8649. This vehicle was registered to Bryan Kohberger
12:58 a.m., WSU Officer Curtis Whitman was looking for white Hyundai Elantra’s and located a 2015 white Hyundai Elantra at 1630 NE Valley Road in Pullman in the parking lot 1630 NE Valley Road is an apartment complex that houses WSU Students. Officer Whitman also ran the car and it returned to Kohberger with a Washington tag. I reviewed Kohberg’s WA state driver license information and photograph. This license indicates that Kohberger is a white male with a height of 6′ and weighs 185 pounds. Additionally, the photograph of Kohberger shows that he has bushy eyebrows. Kohberger’s physical description is consistent with the description of the male D.M. saw inside the King Road Residence on November 13, 2022

December 13, 2022,

vehicle was captured by a license plate reader in Loma, Colorado (information provided by a query to a database).

December 23, 2022

Pursuant to that search warrant, received historical records for the 8458 Phone from AT&T from the time the account was opened in June 2022.
The records for the 8458 Phone show the 8458 Phone utilizing cellular resources that provide coverage to the area of 1122 King Road on at least twelve occasions prior to November 13, 2022. All of these occasions, except for one, occurred in their respective days’ late evening and early morning hours.

December 15, 2022,

Kohberger’s Elantra was then queried by law enforcement in Hancock County, Indiana.

December 16, 2022,

2:26 p.m., surveillance video showed Kohberger’s Elantra in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania. The vehicle’s sole occupant was a white male whose description was consistent with Kohberger. Kohberger has family in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania (learned through a TLO search and locate tool database query).

December 23, 2022,

pursuant to that search warrant, I received records for the 8458 Phone from AT&T. These records indicated that the 8458 Phone is subscribed to Bryan Kohberger at an address in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania

December 27, 2022,

Pennsylvania Agents recovered the trash from the Kohberger family residence located in Albrightsville, PA. That evidence was sent to the Idaho State Lab for testing. On December 28, 2022, the Idaho State Lab reported that a DNA profile obtained from the trash and the DNA profile obtained from the sheath, identified a male as not being excluded as the biological father of Suspect Profile. At least 99.9998% of the male population would be expected to be excluded from the possibility of being the suspect’s biological father.

December 30, 2022,

Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania and charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students: Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The students were found fatally stabbed in an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022.