Lana Oconnell
On November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students—Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves—were found dead in an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. The four students were fatally stabbed, and their killings shocked the small community of Moscow, which hadn't recorded a murder in several years. The perpetrator of the crime was believed to be Bryan Kohberger, a former criminology PhD student at Washington State University, who was arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Kohberger's trial is currently underway, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bryan Christopher Kohberger |
| Age | 27, 30 |
| Education | PhD student in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University |
| Residence | Pullman, Washington |
| Victims | Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin |
| Date of Killings | November 13, 2022 |
| Time of Killings | Between 4:00 a.m. and 4:25 a.m. |
| Location of Killings | Off-campus residence at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho |
| Weapon | Large knife |
| Modus Operandi | Masked intruder |
| Arrest Date | December 30, 2022 |
| Charges | Four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary |
| Trial Venue | Boise, Idaho |
| Trial Date | August 11, 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Suspect Bryan Kohberger's online habits and movements
Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old former PhD student at Washington State University, was arrested in December 2022 for the murders of four University of Idaho students. He is facing four counts of first-degree murder and a count of felony burglary and is being held without bail. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
In the months leading up to the killings, Kohberger's online habits included searches for serial killer Ted Bundy and pornography with keywords such as "forced", "passed out", "drugged", and "sleeping". He also searched for "Can psychopaths behave pro-socially" and "Sociopathic Traits in College Students". According to NBC News, Kohberger's phone connected to a cell tower within 100 meters of the rented off-campus house 23 times over four months, always after dark.
Kohberger's movements on the night of the murders were captured on surveillance video obtained by Dateline NBC. The video shows a white car, identified as a critical clue in the investigation, approaching the house and circling the block several times before driving up to the house a second time and speeding off 13 minutes later. Kohberger drove a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra, which matches the description of the car seen in the surveillance video.
Kohberger's lawyers have maintained his innocence and suggested the possibility of an alternate suspect. They claim that he often took late-night drives for stargazing and that cell phone data shows he was not near the crime scene at the time of the killings.
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The victims: Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin
Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, was a senior majoring in marketing. Described as a gentle and caring person, she kept many long-term friendships and close ties with her extended family. Mogen's boyfriend, Jake Schriger, said she had been excited for graduation and talked about wanting to explore other parts of the world.
Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho, was a senior. Her older sister, Alivea Goncalves, sent a statement to the Idaho Statesman on behalf of her family and Mogen's family.
Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona, was a junior studying marketing and a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Her sister, Jazzmin, said that Xana was "one of the best people I have ever known" and that she was proud to be her sister. Kernodle was on TikTok at 4:12 am, and she received a DoorDash order around 4 am, according to a previously released affidavit.
Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington, was a freshman majoring in recreation, sport, and tourism management and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. One of a set of triplets, he was described by his mother, Stacy Chapin, as lighting up every room he walked into. He was kind, loyal, and a loving son, brother, cousin, and friend. He played basketball in high school and was known for his big smile.
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The investigation and arrest
The investigation into the killings of four University of Idaho students in November 2022 led to the arrest of Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a former criminology PhD student. Kohberger was indicted for the murders of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, who were fatally stabbed in an off-campus apartment.
The investigation into the killings was extensive and involved examining surveillance video, cellphone data, DNA evidence, and witness statements. The victims were found dead inside their shared home, and there were no signs of forced entry or damage. The stabbings rattled the small community of Moscow, Idaho, which hadn't recorded a murder in several years.
During the investigation, police discovered that a white vehicle seen near the killings was connected to Kohberger. Additionally, his cell phone location data placed him near the crime scene, and his DNA was recovered from a knife sheath found near one of the victims. Investigators also found that Kohberger had searched for information about the killings online and had browsed topics related to serial killers.
Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022, at his parents' home in Pennsylvania. He was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one felony count of burglary. During his court appearances, Kohberger remained silent when asked to enter a plea, leading the judge to enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
The trial has been the subject of much media coverage and has been moved from Moscow to Boise, Idaho, due to concerns about impartial jury selection. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty, and the trial is expected to be livestreamed.
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The trial and potential plea deal
Bryan Kohberger, a former criminology PhD student, was indicted for the November 2022 killings of four University of Idaho students: Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20. The trial is set to begin in August 2025, with jury selection starting in July.
Kohberger's lawyers have filed a motion to get his indictment dismissed, arguing that the grand jury was "misled as to the standard of proof required for an indictment." They claim that the standard should be "beyond a reasonable doubt" and that their client had been diagnosed with autism. However, the judge has ruled that the defense can only introduce the diagnosis if Kohberger testifies in his own defense or as a mitigating factor if he is convicted. The defense has also filed an updated alibi, stating that cellphone tower data will show that Kohberger was miles away when the victims were killed.
Kohberger's attorneys have requested a trial delay, citing intense publicity around the case, including leaks to the media. The leaks included information that Kohberger's phone connected multiple times to a cellphone tower near the crime scene and that he had searched the internet for information about serial killer Ted Bundy and pornography with keywords such as "drugged" and "passed out." The defense argues that they need more time to prepare due to the publicity of this information.
While prosecutors are not required to entertain a plea deal to bargain away the death penalty, it is unknown if Kohberger is considering one. The judge has outlined a plan for jury selection, stressing the "security and confidentiality" of the questionnaires. The trial is expected to be livestreamed after jury selection, and the judge has banned the use of terms like 'psychopath' and 'sociopath'.
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The impact on the Moscow community
The killings of four University of Idaho students in Moscow in November 2022 had a profound impact on the local community. Moscow, a small college town with a population of around 25,000 people, had not experienced a murder since 2015. The brutal nature of the stabbings, which took place in an off-campus home, shocked and rattled the community.
In the aftermath of the killings, the Moscow community was gripped by fear and uncertainty. The initial assurance from investigators that there was no risk to the community was later retracted by Moscow Police Chief James Fry, who stated that they could not rule out a potential threat. This sparked weeks of investigation, with frustration mounting among the victims' families and the local community due to the slow pace of progress. The fear of a mass killer on the loose led to heightened anxiety and concerns for safety.
The case attracted intense public interest, both locally and internationally, with people across all demographics drawn to the horror of the crimes, the youth of the victims, and the peaceful setting of the college town. The investigation was challenging, with investigators facing pressure from the community to swiftly identify and apprehend the perpetrator. Social media also played a significant role, with rampant online rumours, speculation, and misinformation spreading on platforms like TikTok, leading the Moscow Police Department to issue a statement criticizing these rumours for stoking community fears and hindering their investigation.
The impact of the killings extended beyond the initial shock and fear, leaving a lasting mark on the Moscow community. The University of Idaho took steps to honour the victims, including establishing the Vandal Healing Garden as a memorial on campus and creating scholarships in the names of three of the victims: Kernodle, Chapin, and Mogen. The house where the killings occurred was donated to the university and later demolished, allowing for a physical reminder of the tragedy to be removed from the community.
The arrest of Bryan Kohberger, a former criminology PhD student, brought some sense of closure to the community. However, the trial process, which is expected to be livestreamed, continues to be of significant interest to the Moscow community, with discussions of jury selection, witness protection, and potential plea deals ongoing. The impact of these killings on Moscow, Idaho, underscores the profound ways in which communities are affected by violent crimes, especially in close-knit towns unaccustomed to such horrific acts.
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Frequently asked questions
Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a former criminology PhD student, is accused of killing the four University of Idaho students.
The four students, Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were fatally stabbed in an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022.
Bryan Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022, and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled to begin in Boise, Idaho, in August 2025.
