A Washington State University graduate student was arrested Friday in his home state of Pennsylvania for the murder of four students from the University of Idaho in their off-campus home — a brutal attack that shook up a small college town, authorities said.
A criminal charge Bryan Kohberger28, with four counts of first-degree murder, as well as felony burglary, was filed Thursday, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said at a news conference Friday afternoon in Idaho.
Authorities narrowed their focus to Kohberger after being owned by a white Hyundai Elantra seen in the area of the murders, according to two law enforcement sources who were aware of the investigation. According to the sources, Kohberger’s DNA is also linked to genetic material recovered from the off-campus house where the students were stabbed to death.
Genetic genealogy helped investigators identify the suspect, a source with knowledge of the case said. DNA found in Idaho has been run through a public database to find possible matches for relatives, the source said. After possible family matches were found, further investigation by law enforcement officials led to the identification of Kohberger, according to the source.
According to another police source, the suspect drove across the country in the white car to his parents’ home. “Sometime right before Christmas, we were focused on him going in or into Pennsylvania,” the source told CNN.
An FBI surveillance team from the Philadelphia field office had been tracking him for four days in the area where he was arrested, according to the sources.
While he was under surveillance, detectives from the Moscow Police Department, the Idaho State Police Homicide Bureau, and the FBI worked with prosecutors to develop enough probable grounds to obtain the warrant. After the warrant was issued, the Pennsylvania State Police and FBI made the arrest.
Moscow police chief James Fry said at the press conference that an Elantra has been found, but investigators are still looking for the knife used in the murders. He has not revealed any details about the case, including if the suspect became the focus of the investigation or if he knew the four students who were murdered.
“These murders have shocked our community and no arrest will ever bring these young students back,” Fry said. “However, we believe that justice will be found through the criminal justice process.”
Fry said it was a very complex, extensive case.
“We’ve developed a clear picture over time,” he said, “(but) rest assured, the work isn’t done yet. This is just getting started.”
Authorities at the press conference asked the public to keep calling the tip line with information.
After the suspect returns to Idaho, an affidavit used to obtain the warrant will be unsealed.
Records show Kohberger was arraigned Friday morning in Pennsylvania, and he has an extradition hearing on Jan. 3. Thompson said the suspect being held without bailand he is represented in Pennsylvania by a public defender.
Because the suspect was arrested in Pennsylvania, he has the option to waive extradition and voluntarily return to Idaho. If he chooses not to return voluntarily, Moscow police will initiate extradition proceedings through the governor’s office, Fry said.
“If we do that, it might take a while for him to get here,” he said.
Fellow student says that the suspect is studying criminal law
Kohberger completed his first semester as a doctoral student in the school’s criminal justice program earlier this month, according to a press release from Washington State University.
Elizabeth Chilton, chancellor of the university’s Pullman campus, said the school’s police department assisted Idaho law enforcement officers in enforcing search warrants of Kohberger’s office and his apartment.
A CNN team in Pullman, which is only about 9 miles from the murder scene, spotted law enforcement activity in an apartment complex housing graduate students.
“We also want to extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and Vandal colleagues affected by these killings,” Chilton said. “We will feel the loss of these young people in the Moscow-Pullman community for a long time to come and hope today’s announcement will be a step toward healing.”
In a post removed from Reddit after Kohberger’s arrest was made public, a student researcher associated with a DeSales University study named Bryan Kohberger sought participation in a research project “to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making in committing crimes.” of a crime.”
“Specifically, this study seeks to understand the story behind your most recent offense, focusing on your thoughts and feelings throughout your experience,” the post reads. It is unclear who wrote the questions for the survey.
One of the study’s lead researchers, a professor at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, declined to comment on the matter.
Kohberger graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree, according to a spokesperson for the school, Kohberger completed his “graduate studies for the Master of Arts in criminal justice program” in June 2022, according to the spokesperson.
The suspect also graduated from Northampton Community College in 2018 with an associate degree in arts and psychology, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania school said.
Case shocked small college town
The November 13 murders riveted the nation and shocked the little college city of Moscow, the first murder in seven years. The case caused fear and anxiety in the community and student bodyand questions arose about the pace of the police investigation.
Moscow resident Erin Staheli became emotional as she expressed her relief at the news of the arrest.
“It was just really scary not knowing who is out there,” Staheli said, pointing to the fear that has gripped the city of nearly 26,000 for weeks. “I had doubts that the killer would be caught because it’s been so long, you know.”
Staheli praised the work of the police departments and the FBI for the arrest. “I knew they would, but it’s just taking so long, and I’m so happy for their families and anyone who is concerned that all the students, anyone who may not have come back to school,” she said.
The arrest comes a day after police said they received about 20,000 tips through more than 9,025 emails, 4,575 phone calls and 6,050 digital media submissions, while conducting more than 300 interviews.
The murdered students — Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison May, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20 – were likely sleeping when they were each stabbed several times in the early hours of the morning, authorities have said. Some of the victims had defensive wounds, a coroner said.
“Today’s arrest news is welcome. It is a relief to our university, our community and our extended Vandal family,” said Scott Green, president of the University of Idaho, at the news conference. “The deluge of support over the past six weeks helps us stay afloat during the most difficult time.”
The house where the murders took place will be cleared but remains an active crime scene under police surveillance, authorities said on Thursday. Work at the property was discontinued on Friday according to a court order, the police chief said.
Moscow police say they have worked with a property management company to remove “potential biological hazards and other harmful substances used to collect evidence,” the update said. The property is transferred to the property management company.
The-CNN-Wire
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