Idaho University Students: A Gruesome Killing Mystery

On November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students were found stabbed to death in an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho. The victims were identified as Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21. The investigation of the stabbings was led by the Moscow Police Department, supported by the Idaho State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In December 2022, Bryan Christopher Kohberger was arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

Suspect Bryan Kohberger's Amazon knife purchases

Court documents revealed that Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the Idaho student murders, purchased a Ka-Bar knife and a sheath on Amazon eight months before the killings. The knife itself was not found at the crime scene, but a sheath stamped with a United States Marine Corps logo was discovered under one of the victims, and it allegedly contained Kohberger's DNA.

Kohberger's Amazon shopping records and "click activity" are considered damning for his defence. Prosecutors have said that the Amazon click history shows Kohberger searched for a Ka-Bar knife in the days after the killings. They intend to introduce this evidence of his "click history" at Amazon.com, which they say makes it more probable that he had a reason to search for a knife and sheath after the homicides.

Kohberger's attorneys have sought to exclude the online shopping history, saying it could be taken out of context or not reflect the influence of algorithms that recommend purchases. They also plan to argue that the knife sheath could have been planted by the real killer. Kohberger's defence also disputes the prosecution's claims about the surviving roommate's description of the suspect, including the detail that the suspect had bushy eyebrows.

Kohberger's trial is expected to begin in August, and prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if he is found guilty.

DNA evidence on a knife sheath

On November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were found brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho. The case gained widespread attention due to the gruesome nature of the killings and the initial lack of identified suspects.

During the investigation, a knife sheath with DNA evidence was discovered near one of the victims, leading authorities to Bryan Kohberger, a 30-year-old former PhD student. Prosecutors revealed that Kohberger's Amazon search history included searches for knives and accessories, and they obtained a warrant to search his Amazon activity, which showed that he had purchased a Ka-Bar knife with a sheath and sharpener months before the killings. This knife sheath became a crucial piece of evidence in the case.

Investigators utilized investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) to analyze the DNA sample found on the knife sheath. IGG is a forensic technique that combines DNA analysis with genealogical research to identify potential relatives of the DNA contributor. The IGG analysis led to the identification of Kohberger's family, and subsequent DNA testing, including an STR (short tandem repeat) analysis, confirmed that Kohberger's DNA was a statistical match to the sample found on the knife sheath.

The discovery of the DNA evidence on the knife sheath was a significant breakthrough in the case, as it provided a direct link between Kohberger and the crime scene. This evidence, along with other pieces of evidence like cellphone records and vehicle information, led to Kohberger's arrest and indictment for the murders of the four University of Idaho students. The case against Kohberger continues to develop, with the prosecution and defense presenting their arguments and evidence in court.

Selfie taken by Kohberger hours after the murders

On November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were found stabbed to death in an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho. Bryan Kohberger, a 30-year-old criminology PhD student, was arrested six weeks later and accused of the slayings.

In March 2025, a selfie taken by Kohberger just six hours after the murders was revealed as part of the prosecution's case against him. The photo, which was included in the court documents, shows Kohberger in what appears to be a bathroom, wearing a white dress shirt buttoned up to the collar, and earbuds, giving the camera a closed-mouth smile and a thumbs up.

Prosecutors intend to introduce the selfie as evidence in his murder trial, which is set to begin on August 11, 2025. They believe it will support the lone eyewitness' description of the person she saw inside the home on the night of the murders, specifically recalling the man's "`bushy eyebrows." Kohberger's defense team is arguing that the eyewitness' statements about the suspect's physical appearance should not be admissible in court, as she did not recognize him when she saw a photo of him after his arrest.

In addition to the selfie, prosecutors also have DNA evidence from a knife sheath found at the crime scene, as well as Kohberger's Amazon purchase history, which shows that he bought a knife and knife sheath in the months before the killings. Cellphone records also place him in the vicinity of the home at the time of the murders. If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty.

Masked man seen in the house

On the morning of November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were found stabbed to death in an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho. The victims, aged 20 and 21, were discovered inside the three-story home with no signs of forced entry or damage.

Two surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, recalled being woken up by strange noises around 4 a.m. Mortensen, whose room was on the second floor, initially thought the noises were coming from Goncalves playing with her dog on the third floor. However, she soon heard Goncalves say something like, "there's someone here." When Mortensen looked outside her bedroom, she didn't see anything. Later, she heard crying coming from Kernodle's room and looked outside again. This time, she claims she heard a male voice say, "it's OK, I'm going to help you."

In a chilling revelation, text messages exchanged between Mortensen and Funke indicate that they were aware of a masked man in the house. Shortly before 4:30 a.m., Mortensen texted Funke, "I'm freaking out," after seeing a man wearing what appeared to be a ski mask in the hallway outside her bedroom door. Funke urged Mortensen to join her in her room, texting, "Run."

The presence of a masked man in the house adds a crucial layer to the investigation. It suggests that the perpetrator may have been attempting to conceal their identity, indicating premeditation or intent. Furthermore, the fact that the survivors did not immediately call 911, as evidenced by the transcript of the 911 call made over an hour later, may provide insights into the psychological responses to high-stress situations.

Police response and investigation

Police were called to the crime scene in the early morning of November 13, 2022, where they found four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—fatally stabbed in an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho. The door to the home was open, with no signs of forced entry or damage inside, and nothing appeared to be missing. Two surviving roommates were on the property when the police arrived, as were other friends of the victims. All four victims were pronounced dead at noon.

Detectives stated they believed the killings occurred between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m. that morning. The two surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, recalled being woken up by strange noises around 4 a.m. Mortensen also recalled hearing Goncalves say something like, "there's someone here," before hearing crying coming from Kernodle's room.

The investigation was led by the Moscow Police Department (MPD) and supported by the Idaho State Police (ISP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Almost 130 members of law enforcement from the three agencies worked on the case. Autopsies on the four victims were performed in Spokane, Washington, and the results indicated that the victims had been stabbed multiple times with a large knife, with fatal wounds in the chest and upper body. At least one victim had defensive stab wounds on her hands, suggesting that they tried to fend off their attacker. The victims may have been attacked while sleeping, and none showed signs of sexual assault. All four deaths were ruled as homicide by stabbing. No weapon was recovered, but police believed a fixed-blade knife was used.

The case was described as \"very complex\" by the town's police chief, and no suspect was immediately named. However, DNA evidence from the crime scene, specifically male DNA on a knife sheath, was used to identify and arrest Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a 30-year-old criminal justice graduate student at Washington State University, located about 2,500 miles from the Idaho campus. In the months before the killings, Kohberger had purchased a knife and knife sheath online, and prosecutors intended to introduce this evidence at his trial. Additionally, a selfie taken by Kohberger just hours after the murders was also presented as potential evidence.

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