DNA evidence secured Kohberger's arrest weeks after Idaho murders
DNA evidence linked Kohberger to the Idaho murders, securing his December 2022 arrest.
Event / Security
Bryan Kohberger Murder Case
Bryan Kohberger convicted in the November 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. He pleaded guilty in July 2025 and received four life sentences without parole. In July 2026, he filed a petition to withdraw his guilty plea and challenge his conviction, claiming innocence and alleging he was misled by his plea agreement.
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2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Jul, 00:18 UTC
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What happened
DNA evidence linked Kohberger to the crimes
Kohberger was linked to the murders using DNA evidence found on a knife sheath near one of the victims' bodies, combined with cell phone data and surveillance footage of his car's movements, according to prosecutors.
Kohberger pleaded guilty to four murders in July 2025 and received four life sentences
Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders of four University of Idaho students in July 2025, striking a plea deal that allowed him to avoid the death penalty and a publicized trial. He was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole and an additional 10-year sentence for burglary.
Kohberger was doctoral student in criminal justice at Washington State University
At the time of the killings in November 2022, Kohberger was a doctoral student in criminal justice at Washington State University. Police records detailed a history of complaints about his behavior at the university, including allegations that he intimidated classmates and made female students feel unsafe.
Four University of Idaho students killed in November 2022 stabbing
Four University of Idaho students—Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20—were stabbed to death on November 13, 2022, at an off-campus rental home near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, Idaho. Prosecutors said Kohberger broke into the home and committed the murders.
Bryan Kohberger arrested in Pennsylvania in December 2022
Bryan Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022, in Pennsylvania, where his family lives. Investigators had searched for weeks for a suspect in the murders before making the arrest.
Bryan Kohberger files petition to withdraw guilty plea in Idaho murders
Bryan Kohberger, 31, filed a petition for post-conviction relief on July 27 in Ada County District Court in Idaho. The petition challenges his guilty plea and conviction in the November 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students: Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. Kohberger is representing himself in the filing.
Kohberger claims innocence and alleges false promises in plea agreement
Kohberger publicly disclosed his petition in an interview with The New York Times on July 26, claiming he is innocent and was misled into confessing. He stated that his guilty plea was hinged on false promises and blatant disinformation, and called investigators' account of the killings a myopic narrative and work of fiction with faulty premises that were never challenged at trial.
Idaho Attorney General vows to ensure justice in Kohberger case
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador stated in response to Kohberger's filing that his office stands ready to do whatever is necessary to ensure justice is fully carried out. Labrador expressed sympathy for the families of the victims.
Goncalves family criticizes Kohberger's renewed innocence claims
The family of victim Kaylee Goncalves issued a statement on July 27 criticizing Kohberger's claims of innocence and the media platform given to him. The family stated that Kohberger chose to plead guilty to avoid a potential death sentence and that nothing in his statements indicates he did not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently admit to murdering the four victims. The family expressed confidence in the evidence against Kohberger and stated they are prepared for any additional court proceedings.
Victims' family disputes plea deal, expresses disappointment with court
Steve Goncalves, father of slain student Kaylee Goncalves, expressed disappointment with the July 2025 plea deal. He stated: "This is anything but justice. This is the opposite of our will. There was no majority [of victims' family members] believing that this was acceptable." Goncalves praised law enforcement but criticized the court system, saying "The failure is at the court level. 100%."
Kohberger arrested in Pennsylvania in December 2022
After more than a month with no suspect, Pennsylvania state police and the FBI arrested Bryan Kohberger during a morning raid of his parents' home near the Poconos in Pennsylvania. At the time of his arrest, Kohberger was a graduate student and teaching assistant in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University. Former professors and classmates described him as obsessed with serial killers, criminal behavior, and the psychology of antisocial behavior.
Kohberger has until early September 2026 to seek post-conviction relief
In Idaho, defendants have one year following the expiration of a 42-day window to file a direct appeal of their conviction. Kohberger's deadline to seek post-conviction relief expires in the first week of September 2026. Kohberger filed a post-conviction relief form in the Idaho court system challenging his conviction.
Bryan Kohberger seeks to withdraw guilty plea for Idaho student murders
Bryan Kohberger, convicted of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death in November 2022, filed a petition to withdraw his guilty plea entered in July 2025. Kohberger claims his plea was based on false promises and blatant disinformation, and asserts an absolute claim of innocence. He told The New York Times: "My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn." Kohberger is serving four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years without possibility of parole.
Kohberger pleads guilty to four counts of murder in July 2025
Bryan Kohberger entered a plea deal in July 2025, pleading guilty to four counts of murder of the University of Idaho students. As part of the agreement, prosecutors dropped the possibility of seeking the death penalty. Kohberger waived his right to appeal the case. During the plea hearing, when asked by the judge if he was pleading guilty because he was guilty, Kohberger responded affirmatively.
Netflix documentary about Idaho murders releases July 29, 2026
The three-episode Netflix docuseries "The Idaho Murders: College Nightmares" premiered on July 29, 2026. This is the second documentary series to chronicle the University of Idaho murders, following a Hulu series called "The Idaho College Murders" that premiered in 2022.
DNA evidence and vehicle surveillance linked Kohberger to crime scene
Law enforcement evidence showed that Kohberger's DNA was found on the murder knife's sheath. Kohberger had purchased the knife on Amazon months before the killings. Surveillance footage showed a car matching Kohberger's vehicle circling the crime scene. No motive or relationship between Kohberger and the victims was established.
Four University of Idaho students killed in November 2022 stabbing
Four University of Idaho students—Madison Mogen (21), Kaylee Goncalves (21), Xana Kernodle (20), and Ethan Chapin (20)—were fatally stabbed in their off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho in November 2022. Bryan Kohberger was arrested in December 2022 and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary for the killings.
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2 alternative perspectives
Kohberger claims false promises, victims' families reject renewed innocence plea
Kohberger challenges his July 2025 guilty plea, claiming false promises; victims' families reject his renewed innocence claims.
Netflix documentary on Idaho murders releases July 29
Netflix documentary on Idaho murders releases July 29 as Kohberger seeks to withdraw guilty plea.
Investigation Timeline: From Stabbing to Arrest in One Month
Investigators identified Kohberger through DNA and surveillance within weeks of the November 2022 murders.
Kohberger seeks to withdraw guilty plea in quadruple murder case
Kohberger seeks to withdraw his July 2025 guilty plea; victims' families oppose the arrangement.