MOSCOW – Documents have been released outlining probable cause in the case of Bryan Kohberger, suspected of killing four University of Idaho students on November 13.
Madison “Maddie” Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were found murdered with a knife at their residence located at 1122 King Road in Moscow.
The combination of roommate statements to law enforcement, reviews of forensic phone downloads, and video lead investigators to believe the homicides occurred between 4:00 a.m. and 4:25 a.m. on November 13.
A roommate is described in the documents as just the letters “D.M.” She told investigators that she was awoken at approximately 4:00 a.m. on November 13, by what she stated sounded like Goncalves playing with her dog in one of the upstairs bedrooms, on the third floor. A short time later, she says she heard who she thought was Goncalves say something to the effect of “there’s someone here.” A review of records obtained from a forensic download of Kernodle’s phone showed this could also have been Kernodle as her cellular phone indicated she was likely awake and using the TikTok app at approximately 4:12 a.m. D.M. stated that she looked out of her bedroom but did not see anything.
D.M. stated she opened her door a second time, when she heard what she thought was crying coming from Kernodle’s room. She told investigators she heard a male voice say something like “it’s OK, I’m going to help you.”
At approximately 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. The security camera is less than fifty feet from the west wall of Kernodle’s bedroom. The roommate said 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. She said she stood in a “frozen shock phase” as the male walked towards the back sliding glass door. She then locked herself in her room after. Investigators believe this is when the murderer left the scene.
The documents say that Kohberger’s Hyundai was seen on video in the area of the residence where the murders took place on the same morning. “A review of footage from multiple videos obtained from the King Road Neighborhood showed multiple sightings of Suspect Vehicle 1 starting at 3:29 a.m. and ending at 4:20 a.m. These sightings show Suspect Vehicle 1 makes an initial three passes by the 1122 King Road residence and then leave via Walenta Drive,” says the affidavit. “Suspect Vehicle 1 can be seen entering the area a fourth time a approximately 4:04 a.m. It can be seen 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 I is in front of the King Road Residence, it appeared to unsuccessfully attempt to park or tum around in the road. The vehicle then continued to the intersection of Queen Road and King Road where it can be seen completing a three-point tum and then driving eastbound again down Queen Road. Suspect Vehicle 1 is next seen departing the area of the King Road Residence at approximately 4:20 a.m. at a high rate of speed.”
The affidavit says detectives located a tan leather knife sheath laying on the bed next to one of the murder victims at the residence. The Idaho state lab later located a single source of male DNA left on the button snap of the knife sheath.
On 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 Bryan Kohberger. At least 99.9998% of the male population would be expected to be excluded from the possibility of being the suspect’s biological father, says the affidavit.
The full affidavit is attached to this story.
Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania on December 30 and transported to Idaho on January 4 where he was booked into the Latah County Jail. The courtroom was full for a Thursday morning hearing, which lasted about 15 minutes. The criminal complaint was read and Kohberger indicated he understood the allegations. He will remain in custody with no bond. Next up in the process is a status conference that has been scheduled for January 12.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
