July 2, 2025 — A Day the True Crime Community Will Never Forget
Today, Brian Kohberger stood before an Idaho judge and pleaded guilty to all charges in the brutal slayings of four University of Idaho students. Known widely as the “Idaho Four” case, this chilling quadruple murder took place in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022. With today’s plea, the death penalty is officially off the table. Kohberger now faces four life sentences—one for each young life taken.
The plea means there will be no trial. No cross-examinations. No dramatic courtroom revelations. But today’s court proceeding wasn’t without bombshells. Prosecutor Bill Thompson read into the record a staggering list of evidence that paints a disturbing, calculated picture of the man behind the murders.
Here’s a breakdown of the key evidence revealed:
1. The KA-BAR Knife and Sheath
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- March 2022: Kohberger purchased a KA-BAR knife and sheath on Amazon using a gift card.
- At the crime scene: The knife was never recovered, but a matching sheath was found beneath the bodies of Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves.
- DNA Match: Brian Kohberger’s single-source DNA was found on the sheath’s button snap—an undeniable forensic link to the scene.
2. Early Moves and Suspicious Activity
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- June 2022: Kohberger moved to Pullman, Washington to begin a Ph.D. in criminal justice.
- July 9, 2022: His cell phone pinged near the King Road home in Moscow, Idaho—the location of the murders.
- July to November: His phone pinged 23 times near that same location during the night hours (10 PM to 4 AM), suggesting surveillance or stalking behavior.
3. The Traffic Stop
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- August 22, 2022: Pulled over by police. He was driving with Pennsylvania plates. Officers noted his name, phone number, and car details.
4. The Night of the Murders (November 13, 2022)
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- Pre-attack: Kohberger’s phone left his residence, then went dark—intentionally shut off—during the likely time of the murders.
- Vehicle evidence: Surveillance shows his vehicle speeding near the home around 3:30 AM.
- Entry and attack: He entered through the kitchen sliding door. On the third floor, he murdered Madison and Kaylee—where he apparently left the knife sheath.
- Downstairs encounter: He killed Xana Kernodle next, who was awake and possibly waiting for a DoorDash delivery.
- Final victim: He killed Ethan Chapin, who was asleep.
- Escape: One roommate saw him exit through the kitchen. By 4:20 AM, his car was seen racing away from the scene.
5. Evasion and Aftermath
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- Avoiding surveillance: He took only back roads to flee, likely to avoid highway cameras.
- Phone reactivated: At 4:48 AM, his phone turned back on—now south of Moscow on Hwy 95—perhaps to set up an alibi.
- Bizarre return: At 5:26 AM, his phone pinged near the crime scene again.
6. Sinister Behavior Post-Murder
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- Morning selfie: Kohberger took a thumbs-up selfie in his bathroom—a chilling sign of pride or satisfaction. This will go down as one of the most disturbing photos of all time.
- Online activity: He searched for “KA-BAR knife” and “knife sheath” and attempted to scrub his Amazon history.
7. Cover-Up Attempts
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- License plate switch: He changed his Pennsylvania plates to Washington ones, but only installed one plate—failing to follow state requirements that require a front-facing license plate be installed on all vehicles. This may simply have been an oversight since there is no similar requirement in Pennsylvania where he is from. Some speculate that this was an intentional move to avoid identification.
- Car cleanup: His vehicle had been disassembled and scrubbed clean. A bucket of cleaner sat nearby. Investigators called it meticulous—likely influenced by his criminal justice studies.
- Academic connection: Kohberger had written papers on crime scene processing, suggesting he knew exactly how to avoid leaving behind evidence.
8. DNA Confirmation
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- DNA found on the knife sheath matched DNA from his father, which was collected from trash at his apartment. This familial link sealed the forensic case.
No Knife Found
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- Despite searching his apartment and office, the murder weapon was never located.
A Final Word from the Courtroom
Today, with all of this evidence stacked against him, Brian Kohberger formally pleaded guilty. In doing so, he forfeits all rights to appeal and must remain legally silent about the details of the crime for the rest of his life (meaning no appeals or restarts.)
Sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2025. But for the families, the community, and the true crime world, today marks a chilling form of closure.
He did it. He admitted it. And now, he will never walk free again.