What Idaho Murderer Bryan Kohberger Told Police After He Was Arrested

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Authorities have released chilling details about Bryan Kohberger‘s initial police interview.

As an ardent follower of this chilling case, I recently stumbled upon intriguing revelations from the Moscow Police Department’s court records, shared by TopMob News in July. The lead detective in the gruesome murder investigation of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, none other than Corporal Brett Payne, disclosed an interesting detail: In his interactions with the suspect, Brian Kohberger, following his arrest in December 2022, they exchanged casual banter about college sports. This small talk, amidst the backdrop of a horrific crime, adds another layer of complexity to this captivating mystery.

In the report by Payne, who interviewed Detective Sergeant Darren Gilbertson, it is mentioned that Kohberger stated he wasn’t deeply into WSU football but rather a baseball enthusiast.

Kohberger informed officials that he hadn’t visited the Pacific Northwest prior to relocating to Washington State University for his Ph.D. studies, but over time, he developed a strong affinity for the region after moving there. They apprehended him at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania following their discovery that his vehicle was associated with the Idaho crime scene.

The officer penned that he started discussing the aesthetics of nature and its connection to God and a higher power. We continued this discussion for quite a while, and Kohberger mentioned that he was brought up as Christian but has always harbored doubts, except when faced with the stunning beauty of nature.

During the interrogation, Payne mentioned that Kohberger also discussed his studies in criminology and expressed his fascination with criminal justice. As stated by Payne, the WSU graduate student expressed an initial consideration of becoming a police officer, but made clear that he would only do so if he was completely certain.

Later, Kohberger mentioned that he comprehended why the conversation was taking place but preferred a clearer explanation of his role there. According to Payne’s report, Detective Gilbertson inquired whether Kohberger followed the news. To which Kohberger responded, ‘Yes, I watch the news.’

Payne went on, “Detective Gilbertson stated that we were present due to events from November near the University of Idaho campus. Detective Gilberston then inquired whether Kohberger was aware of this incident, to which he responded affirmatively.

According to Payne, Kohberger informed the investigators that he knew about a murder due to an alert he received from WSU after the killings had occurred.

When questioned about discussing the event, Kohberger responded, ‘To be honest, I believe I should consult with a lawyer first,’ as reported by Payne.

Following the discussion about the topic being the murders, Payne mentioned that the 28-year-old Kohberger appeared to have high regard for law enforcement, yet asserted his constitutional privilege to consult with an attorney.

According to Payne, Kohberger inquired about the specific topic we wished to discuss with him and why. I then informed him that he had exercised his Fifth Amendment rights and we wouldn’t ask him any more questions.

According to the investigator, they concluded the interview not long after Kohberger inquired about his purpose a second time and mentioned he wanted to consult with an attorney.

Approximately two years following his interrogation, Kohberger, who chose to forego a swift trial, admitted to the murders as part of a plea bargain with the prosecution. During his sentencing on July 23, he was handed four consecutive life imprisonment sentences for the murders of Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin. These individuals were all victims of a fatal stabbing at an off-campus residence in November 2022.

During his sentencing, Kohberger chose to remain silent. This led Judge Steven Hippler to label him as one of the most reprehensible individuals.

In the courtroom, the judge stated, “Although he admitted his guilt, there’s been no indication of remorse or signs of a desire for redemption, nor any acknowledgment or understanding of the harm he has inflicted. Consequently, I will not delve deeper into the subject but only to announce the sentence.

For more on the investigation into Kohberger and the Idaho murders, keep reading.

The individuals in question – Kaylee Goncalves (age 21), Madison Mogen (age 21), Xana Kernodle (age 20), and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin (also 20) – were all students at the University of Idaho. They resided together in an apartment situated off the university’s campus.

On the evening of November 12th, 2022, Goncalves and Mogen were at a sports bar nearby, whereas Kernodle and Chapin were attending a fraternity party. By 2 a.m. on November 13th, all four roommates and Chapin returned to their shared three-story rental house.

Goncalves, a senior studying general studies at the College of Arts and Humanities, was anticipated to graduate in December. According to her friend, Jordyn Quesnell, she planned to move to Austin, Texas for a job at a marketing company following graduation, as reported by The New York Times.

Mogen, a marketing student, has been close friends with Goncalves since the sixth grade. According to family friend Jessie Frost, she intends to relocate to Boise following graduation. This information was made public in an article published by The Idaho Statesman.

At one point, Kernodle was a junior studying marketing, as stated earlier. She and Chapin, who specialized in recreation, sport, and tourism management, had been together since the spring, according to their neighbor Ellie McKnight, as reported by NBC News.

On the day of the murders, two housemates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, were present at home. Text messages made public on March 6, 2025, revealed that Mortensen and Funke attempted to reach their fellow roommates on November 13 after Mortensen spotted a masked individual wandering around the house, as suggested by documents obtained by TopMob News.

“No one is answering,” Mortensen texted Funke at 4:22 a.m. “I’m rlly confused rn.”

She persistently contacted her roommates, encouraging them to reply. At 4:32 a.m., she messaged Goncalves saying “Pls respond,” and later again at 10:23 a.m., asking “Are you awake?

11:58 a.m. saw a 911 call being made following the discovery of an unresponsive Kernodle, as detailed in a supplementary report acquired by TopMob News. In the log, a woman identified as A1 provided the operator with a real-time account of the ongoing scenario.

She mentioned on the phone that one of the roommates, who got extremely intoxicated last night, is still unconscious and won’t wake up. They claimed to have spotted a stranger in their home last night.

Bryan Kohberger, currently facing charges for four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, was a doctoral candidate at Washington State University. Approximately one month after the bodies of Gonclaves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin were found, Kohberger was apprehended on December 30 in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. He was transported to Idaho on January 4, 2023.

In June 2023, court documents disclosed by NBC News showed that DNA evidence found on a knife sheath at the crime scene linked him to the murders, according to prosecutors.

When the DNA didn’t find a match in the FBI database, authorities decided to search public ancestry websites to generate a list of possible suspects, as indicated in the documents. Once they discovered that Kohberger had driven to his parents’ home in Monroe County, local officials then examined their trash and found DNA evidence linking him to that found on the sheath.

Currently, no specific reason for the attack is disclosed, as a court order restricts those connected to the case from making public statements. Nevertheless, some light has been shed on their opening arguments through the released documents. (NBC News report)

Lawyers for Kohberger, in a motion acquired by TopMob News, requested to remove the death penalty option. This is because if Kohberger is found guilty on all charges, he originally faced the death penalty. However, they argued that Kohberger has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and executing him would contradict the Eighth Amendment’s ban on “cruel and unusual punishment,” which forbids such harsh and uncommon penalties.

As an ardent admirer, I’d say he exhibits an unyielding mindset that clings stubbornly to certain ideas, obsesses over specific subjects, approaches information in bits rather than as a whole, struggles with forward planning, and shows scant awareness of his own actions and feelings.

Because of his Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Mr. Kohberger struggles to behave as society typically expects. This unfortunate situation could potentially lead to him being sentenced to death not for his guilt, but due to his disability.

Originally, the legal representation for Kohberger chose to plead not guilty on my behalf at the May 2023 arraignment, as I remained silent during that process. Despite the initial schedule setting my trial for October 2, 2023, I opted to relinquish my right to a prompt trial in August 2023.

From a lifestyle perspective, understanding the legal system and navigating its complexities is crucial for anyone finding themselves involved in such situations. It’s essential to know your rights and make informed decisions that best serve your interests, even when faced with challenging circumstances like I am currently experiencing.

The starting date for his trial, initially planned over 300 miles away from Latah County where the crimes occurred (specifically in Ada County), was marked as August 11, 2025.

Previously, Judge John Judge of Latah County decided to grant the transfer request submitted by Kohberger’s legal team in September 2024, as he believed that a fair trial would be difficult to achieve in Latah County due to potential prejudice.

In the upcoming trial, Judge Steven Hippler of Ada County refused the defense’s plea to exclude crucial DNA findings, as well as cell phone and email records, security camera footage, past Amazon transactions, and DNA proof from being presented as evidence.

On June 30, 2025, Kohberger’s murder trial was unexpectedly halted when he chose to accept a plea bargain offered by the prosecution. In doing so, he consented to admit guilt for four counts of homicide and one count of burglary, relinquish his right to appeal, and request a less severe prison term.

On July 2, 2025, he admitted his guilt in court, affirming with a simple “yes” when the judge inquired whether he had intentionally, illegally, purposefully, and premeditatedly taken the lives of all four victims, demonstrating malice and forethought.

A selfie that Kohberger took the day after the murders occurred was presented in March 2025. This picture shows him standing in front of a shower with a thumbs up gesture, and it aligns with the description provided by a witness known as “D.M.” in court filings. According to this witness, the suspect had bushy eyebrows.

As a compassionate lifestyle advisor, I’d rephrase it like this: In a recent interview with Fox and Friends, I, Steve Gonclaves, expressed my feelings about an image related to my daughter Kaylee, describing it as something that seems to be used as a trophy.

According to Gonclaves, he was aware of the sequence of events. Specifically, he knew that the individual had gone back to the crime scene shortly after returning, and it struck him that no one had dialed 911 for help.

In simpler terms, he was saying, “For him, that’s a small token to remind him of, ‘I managed to get away, no one’s chasing me.’

In a 2025 Dateline documentary on the murders, an ex-classmate of Kohberger’s recounted an “odd” message she got from him following their encounter at a party.

Holly admitted that she felt slightly obliged to converse with him, as he appeared somewhat uncomfortable, much like a PhD student who was unfamiliar with the partygoers and perhaps exerting extra effort to socialize and form friendships.

The following day, Holly said she received a text from him, which she described as overly formal. 

Hey there! I believe we discussed hiking trips yesterday. Since I love that kind of outing, could you fill me in on the details? Many thanks!

In another part of the Dateline documentary, it was discovered that Kohberger’s online history contained searches for Ted Bundy, Britney Spears’ song “Criminal,” and the phrase “Murders at the University of Idaho.

At a court hearing on July 2, 2025, Kohberger admitted his guilt for the murders of Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin, as well as one charge of burglary, after previously agreeing to a plea bargain that would prevent the death penalty.

In the courtroom, Judge Hippler asked Kohberger whether he intentionally, illegally, deliberately, and with prior planning and malice, took the lives of each victim. To this, Kohberger responded affirmatively for every instance.

By accepting the plea bargain, Kohberger relinquished his opportunity to challenge the verdict or seek a less stringent prison term, as explained by Hippler.

Despite both the Goncalves and Kernodle families expressing their disapproval by objecting to the plea bargain, which removed the possibility of capital punishment, Thomas Kohberger was formally sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison on July 23, 2025.

Judge Hippler ordered Kohberger to serve four life sentences in a row, with no chance for parole, for each murder charge he was found guilty of. Each sentence also comes with a $50,000 fine and a $5,000 payment to the families of the victims. Additionally, Judge Hippler added another 10 years to his sentence and imposed a $50,000 fine for burglary.

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2025-07-26 02:47