Bryan Kohberger
University of Idaho Murders
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Moscow, Idaho, U.S.
TIME PERIOD
November 13, 2022
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students—Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus residence located at 1122 King Road, Moscow, Idaho. The suspect, Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a PhD student from Washington State University, was arrested on December 30, 2022, in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, facing four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Kohberger pled guilty to all charges on July 2, 2025, as part of a plea deal to avoid the death penalty and was subsequently sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, along with an additional 10 years for burglary. The investigation revealed the use of a military-style Ka-Bar knife as the murder weapon, and the motive remains unclear.
Bryan Kohberger is theorized to have targeted the victims due to a personal vendetta or obsession, possibly stemming from his time as a student in the area. Some speculate that he may have been stalking them prior to the attack, as he was familiar with the layout of the house and the victims' routines. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that the attack was not random and that Kohberger may have had a specific motive connected to the victims or their social circles.
The 2022 University of Idaho Murders: A Chilling Tale of Intrigue and Investigation
The Fateful Morning
In the tranquil, rural college town of Moscow, Idaho, the morning of November 13, 2022, shattered the serenity with a crime that would haunt the community. Four University of Idaho students—Madison "Maddie" Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were brutally stabbed to death in their off-campus residence at 1122 King Road. This heinous act took place between 4:00 a.m. and 4:25 a.m., leaving behind a scene of horror that would grip the nation.
The Victims and Their Lives
The victims were vibrant young students with promising futures. Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, hailed from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and had been inseparable best friends since childhood. Mogen was a senior majoring in marketing and a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, while Goncalves, a senior in general studies and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, was on the brink of graduation with a job already lined up in Texas.
Xana Kernodle, aged 20, grew up in Avondale, Arizona, before moving to Post Falls, Idaho. She was a junior in marketing and also a Pi Beta Phi sorority member. Her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, was a 20-year-old sophomore from Mount Vernon, Washington, studying recreation, sport, and tourism management. A member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, Chapin was known for his close-knit family ties as a triplet.
The Night of Horror
That fateful night, Mogen and Goncalves spent their evening at the Corner Club, a local sports bar, and later grabbed food at the Grub Truck before returning home at 1:56 a.m. Meanwhile, Kernodle and Chapin attended a party at the Sigma Chi fraternity, arriving back at the house at 1:45 a.m. As the night unfolded, the tight-knit group unwittingly approached their tragic demise.
Detectives later surmised that the killer struck between 4:00 and 4:25 a.m. Kernodle was reportedly awake at the time, having just received a DoorDash order around 4:00 a.m. and was active on TikTok at 4:12 a.m. Her last moments were intertwined with a chilling sequence of events, as surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen recounted hearing unsettling noises and voices, including an unfamiliar male comforting someone, saying, "It's okay; I'm going to help you."
Mortensen, in a state of shock, glimpsed a masked figure in black clothing exiting through the kitchen’s sliding glass door. Paralyzed by fear and disbelief, she locked herself in her room, later joining Bethany Funke, the other surviving roommate. Together, they remained in Funke's room, trying to reach their friends to no avail.
The Discovery
As the sun rose, the grim reality became evident. Mortensen, in a state of confusion, believed Kernodle was merely intoxicated when she found her unresponsive. It wasn't until friends arrived and discovered the lifeless bodies of Chapin and Kernodle that the true horror was realized. Funke's desperate call to 911 at 11:58 a.m. marked the beginning of a complex investigation.
The Immediate Response
The University of Idaho canceled classes for November 14 and scheduled a candlelight vigil, later postponed due to safety concerns, highlighting the fear that permeated the community. Initial police assurances of no ongoing threat were quickly deemed premature, leading to widespread anxiety and a swift exodus from the town as students and residents sought safety elsewhere.
The Investigation Unfolds
A massive investigation ensued, led by the Moscow Police Department with assistance from the Idaho State Police and the FBI. The search for clues was relentless, with public appeals for video footage and the establishment of tip lines yielding thousands of leads.
Detectives faced numerous challenges, including rampant online speculation and misinformation. Despite these distractions, the investigation honed in on a crucial piece of evidence: a tan leather knife sheath found in Mogen's bed, bearing DNA that would eventually lead to a suspect.
The Breakthrough and Arrest
The investigation took a pivotal turn with the identification of a white Hyundai Elantra captured on surveillance near the crime scene. This led investigators to Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a 28-year-old PhD student at Washington State University in Pullman, less than eight miles from Moscow. Kohberger's cell phone records and vehicle movements aligned suspiciously with the timeline of the murders.
On December 30, 2022, Kohberger was arrested in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The forensic evidence, including DNA from the knife sheath, played a critical role in tying him to the murders. Kohberger, charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary, maintained his innocence throughout the pretrial proceedings.
The Courtroom Drama
Prosecutors initially sought the death penalty, but on July 2, 2025, Kohberger entered a guilty plea to all charges in a deal to avoid this fate. On July 23, 2025, he was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without parole, plus an additional 10 years for burglary, along with fines and restitution totaling $270,000.
Conclusion
The 2022 University of Idaho murders serve as a chilling reminder of the fragility of safety and the complexities of justice. The case, marked by its swift investigative developments and the subsequent conviction of Bryan Kohberger, underscores the relentless pursuit of truth in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
Sources
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Mass Stabbing Incident
Four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed in their off-campus home.
Public Video Request
Moscow police requested public assistance for any video footage from the night of the murders.
Suspect Arrested
Bryan Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.
First Court Appearance
Kohberger made his first court appearance in Latah County, charged with four counts of murder.
Indictment by Grand Jury
Kohberger was indicted on five charges: four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.
Death Penalty Sought
Prosecutors announced they were seeking the death penalty for Kohberger due to aggravating circumstances.
Guilty Plea Entered
Kohberger pleaded guilty to all charges as part of a deal to avoid the death penalty.
Sentencing
Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
House Demolished
The house where the murders occurred was donated to the university and demolished.
In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students—Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus residence located at 1122 King Road, Moscow, Idaho. The suspect, Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a PhD student from Washington State University, was arrested on December 30, 2022, in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, facing four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Kohberger pled guilty to all charges on July 2, 2025, as part of a plea deal to avoid the death penalty and was subsequently sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, along with an additional 10 years for burglary. The investigation revealed the use of a military-style Ka-Bar knife as the murder weapon, and the motive remains unclear.
Bryan Kohberger is theorized to have targeted the victims due to a personal vendetta or obsession, possibly stemming from his time as a student in the area. Some speculate that he may have been stalking them prior to the attack, as he was familiar with the layout of the house and the victims' routines. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that the attack was not random and that Kohberger may have had a specific motive connected to the victims or their social circles.
The 2022 University of Idaho Murders: A Chilling Tale of Intrigue and Investigation
The Fateful Morning
In the tranquil, rural college town of Moscow, Idaho, the morning of November 13, 2022, shattered the serenity with a crime that would haunt the community. Four University of Idaho students—Madison "Maddie" Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were brutally stabbed to death in their off-campus residence at 1122 King Road. This heinous act took place between 4:00 a.m. and 4:25 a.m., leaving behind a scene of horror that would grip the nation.
The Victims and Their Lives
The victims were vibrant young students with promising futures. Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, hailed from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and had been inseparable best friends since childhood. Mogen was a senior majoring in marketing and a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, while Goncalves, a senior in general studies and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, was on the brink of graduation with a job already lined up in Texas.
Xana Kernodle, aged 20, grew up in Avondale, Arizona, before moving to Post Falls, Idaho. She was a junior in marketing and also a Pi Beta Phi sorority member. Her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, was a 20-year-old sophomore from Mount Vernon, Washington, studying recreation, sport, and tourism management. A member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, Chapin was known for his close-knit family ties as a triplet.
The Night of Horror
That fateful night, Mogen and Goncalves spent their evening at the Corner Club, a local sports bar, and later grabbed food at the Grub Truck before returning home at 1:56 a.m. Meanwhile, Kernodle and Chapin attended a party at the Sigma Chi fraternity, arriving back at the house at 1:45 a.m. As the night unfolded, the tight-knit group unwittingly approached their tragic demise.
Detectives later surmised that the killer struck between 4:00 and 4:25 a.m. Kernodle was reportedly awake at the time, having just received a DoorDash order around 4:00 a.m. and was active on TikTok at 4:12 a.m. Her last moments were intertwined with a chilling sequence of events, as surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen recounted hearing unsettling noises and voices, including an unfamiliar male comforting someone, saying, "It's okay; I'm going to help you."
Mortensen, in a state of shock, glimpsed a masked figure in black clothing exiting through the kitchen’s sliding glass door. Paralyzed by fear and disbelief, she locked herself in her room, later joining Bethany Funke, the other surviving roommate. Together, they remained in Funke's room, trying to reach their friends to no avail.
The Discovery
As the sun rose, the grim reality became evident. Mortensen, in a state of confusion, believed Kernodle was merely intoxicated when she found her unresponsive. It wasn't until friends arrived and discovered the lifeless bodies of Chapin and Kernodle that the true horror was realized. Funke's desperate call to 911 at 11:58 a.m. marked the beginning of a complex investigation.
The Immediate Response
The University of Idaho canceled classes for November 14 and scheduled a candlelight vigil, later postponed due to safety concerns, highlighting the fear that permeated the community. Initial police assurances of no ongoing threat were quickly deemed premature, leading to widespread anxiety and a swift exodus from the town as students and residents sought safety elsewhere.
The Investigation Unfolds
A massive investigation ensued, led by the Moscow Police Department with assistance from the Idaho State Police and the FBI. The search for clues was relentless, with public appeals for video footage and the establishment of tip lines yielding thousands of leads.
Detectives faced numerous challenges, including rampant online speculation and misinformation. Despite these distractions, the investigation honed in on a crucial piece of evidence: a tan leather knife sheath found in Mogen's bed, bearing DNA that would eventually lead to a suspect.
The Breakthrough and Arrest
The investigation took a pivotal turn with the identification of a white Hyundai Elantra captured on surveillance near the crime scene. This led investigators to Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a 28-year-old PhD student at Washington State University in Pullman, less than eight miles from Moscow. Kohberger's cell phone records and vehicle movements aligned suspiciously with the timeline of the murders.
On December 30, 2022, Kohberger was arrested in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The forensic evidence, including DNA from the knife sheath, played a critical role in tying him to the murders. Kohberger, charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary, maintained his innocence throughout the pretrial proceedings.
The Courtroom Drama
Prosecutors initially sought the death penalty, but on July 2, 2025, Kohberger entered a guilty plea to all charges in a deal to avoid this fate. On July 23, 2025, he was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without parole, plus an additional 10 years for burglary, along with fines and restitution totaling $270,000.
Conclusion
The 2022 University of Idaho murders serve as a chilling reminder of the fragility of safety and the complexities of justice. The case, marked by its swift investigative developments and the subsequent conviction of Bryan Kohberger, underscores the relentless pursuit of truth in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
Sources
For further information, please visit the Wikipedia page.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Stabbing Incident
Four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed in their off-campus home.
Public Video Request
Moscow police requested public assistance for any video footage from the night of the murders.
Suspect Arrested
Bryan Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.
First Court Appearance
Kohberger made his first court appearance in Latah County, charged with four counts of murder.
Indictment by Grand Jury
Kohberger was indicted on five charges: four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.
Death Penalty Sought
Prosecutors announced they were seeking the death penalty for Kohberger due to aggravating circumstances.
Guilty Plea Entered
Kohberger pleaded guilty to all charges as part of a deal to avoid the death penalty.
Sentencing
Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
House Demolished
The house where the murders occurred was donated to the university and demolished.