Bryan Kohberger Timeline of Events
- Cassian Creed
- Jul 8
- 7 min read
March 2022:
Bryan Kohberger, while residing in Pennsylvania, purchases a KBAR knife and sheath online using an Amazon gift card he had recently acquired.
Late June 2022:
Bryan Kohberger moves from Pennsylvania to Pullman, Washington, to pursue a PhD in criminal justice at Washington State University, located directly across the state line from Moscow, Idaho.
July 9, 2022:
Bryan Kohberger's phone begins connecting to a cell tower serving the area of 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, the residence where the murders would later occur.
Between July and November 2022:
Bryan Kohberger's phone pings near the victim's house 23 times, always late at night between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. This period is referred to as "hunting" by the prosecutor.
Bryan Kohberger attends a pool party in Moscow.
August 22, 2022:
Around 11:00 p.m., Latah County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Duke conducts a traffic stop on Bryan Kohberger's 2015 white Hyundai Elantra with Pennsylvania plates on the Moscow Pullman Road, west of Moscow. Deputy Duke obtains Kohberger's name, phone number, and Pullman apartment address.
November 13, 2022 (Early Morning):
3:30 a.m.: Surveillance cameras spot Bryan Kohberger's white Hyundai Elantra circling the 1122 King Road area. He enters and leaves the dead-end street repeatedly.
4:05 a.m.: Kohberger stops at the intersection of King and Queen Road, makes a U-turn, drives back to the house, and parks behind it.
Approximately 4:13 a.m.: Kohberger is believed to enter the residence at 1122 King Road through the kitchen sliding door on the backside of the house.
Kohberger goes to the third floor and fatally stabs Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves in their bed. The sheath for a KBAR knife is left on the bed next to Madison Mogen's body.
Kohberger encounters Xana Kernodle, who is awake and scrolling TikTok while waiting for DoorDash. He chases her back to her room and stabs her to death, losing his knife sheath in the chaos.
Kohberger then stabs Ethan Chapin, who is asleep in Xana's bed, to death. He allegedly carves up Ethan's legs.
Kohberger sits down in a chair in Xana's room, leaving a bloody seat print.
One of the surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensen, awakes, looks out her door, and sees Kohberger, dressed in black with a black mask, holding a container (believed to be the knife) as he leaves through the kitchen sliding door.
Approximately 4:20 a.m.: Kohberger's car is seen on a surveillance camera next door to 1122 King Road, leaving the area at a high rate of speed, almost losing control at a corner.
Kohberger drives south of Moscow on back roads to avoid main highway cameras.
Approximately 4:48 a.m.: Kohberger's phone reactivates south of Moscow, likely at a side road intersection with Highway 95.
Kohberger's phone activity tracks him heading back north towards his Pullman residence.
November 13, 2022 (Later Morning):
6:17 a.m.: Kohberger makes three calls to his father's phone number, each lasting between 30 and 54 minutes.
Approximately 9:00 a.m.: Kohberger's phone returns to the King Road area for about 10 minutes.
Approximately 9:30 a.m.: Kohberger's phone returns to his Pullman residence.
Evidence from Kohberger's phone shows he took a selfie of himself in what appears to be his Pullman apartment bathroom with a thumbs-up gesture.
Kohberger's phone then travels to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, approximately 30 miles south of Moscow and Pullman. He is seen with his car at various businesses in the area, a location known for large bodies of moving water, leading to speculation that he dumped evidence, including the murder weapon.
Following November 13, 2022:
Business records show Kohberger began searching online for a KBAR knife and sheath, likely to replace the one left at the crime scene.
There were attempts by Kohberger to delete or alter his purchase history on Amazon related to these transactions.
Later in the week, Kohberger goes to the DMV to switch his car registration from Pennsylvania to Washington. This is significant because Pennsylvania cars do not require a front license plate, and his car was observed without one on surveillance.
Kohberger proceeds to finish his semester of studies at Washington State University and returns to Pennsylvania for the holidays.
December 2022:
Law enforcement becomes aware of Kohberger and begins accessing information about him, trying to locate him.
FBI agents, with assistance from the sanitation department, conduct a "trash pull" at Kohberger's parents' residence in Pennsylvania.
DNA from a Q-tip found in the trash is sent to the Idaho State Forensics Laboratory and identified as coming from the father of the person whose DNA was found on the knife sheath at the crime scene.
December 30, 2022:
Bryan Kohberger is arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania.
On the night of his arrest, he searches for and plays a remix of "Criminal" by Britney Spears on repeat.
Late 2022 - Mid 2025:
Kohberger is extradited back to Idaho and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.
The murder weapon (knife) is not recovered.
Kohberger's apartment in Pullman is searched, but nothing of evidentiary value is found.
Kohberger's car is seized in Pennsylvania and meticulously cleaned internally.
His defense team files numerous motions, claiming innocence and attempting to delay the trial.
Kohberger claims he was out driving and looking at stars on the night of the murders, but provides no witnesses or proof.
His defense team attempts to float an "alternative killer" theory at trial, which the judge denies as "rank speculation."
His defense team's motion to remove the death penalty as a possible sentence is denied in November 2024.
The case is moved from Latah County to Boise due to concerns about media coverage impacting a fair trial.
A Dateline documentary airs, portraying Kohberger as a "deranged, sexually frustrated predator."
An Amazon series and accompanying book are released, dramatizing the events and implicating Kohberger's parents.
The defense requests a continuance to address the prejudicial impact of leaks and to safeguard the right to challenge witness credibility, which the court denies.
July 2, 2025:
Bryan Kohberger, after years of claiming innocence, enters a guilty plea to all four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in the murders of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves.
The plea deal spares him from the death penalty in exchange for four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus a 10-year sentence for burglary. He also waives his right to appeal.
The plea deal is first revealed to victims' families via a letter from the Latah County Prosecutor's Office.
Some victim families (Mogen, Chapin) are at peace with the plea deal, while others (Goncalves, Kernodle) express fury and frustration, feeling justice has been denied.
July 7, 2025:
Hulu's documentary "The Idaho College Murders" is charting at number 4 on Hulu's streaming charts, revisiting the 2022 murders.
July 23, 2025:
Bryan Kohberger's sentencing is scheduled, where victim impact statements will be read.
Cast of Characters
Bryan Christopher Kohberger: The central figure, a former criminal justice doctoral student at Washington State University. He pleaded guilty to the murders of four University of Idaho students. His motive remains unknown.
Madison Mogen: One of the four University of Idaho students murdered on November 13, 2022. She was killed in her bed alongside Kaylee Goncalves. Her father, Ben Mogen, expressed relief about the plea deal.
Kaylee Goncalves: One of the four University of Idaho students murdered on November 13, 2022. She was visiting and staying with Madison Mogen and was killed in the same bed. Her family, particularly her father Steve Gonzalez, is "beyond furious" and feels the state "failed" them by offering the plea deal without their input.
Xana Kernodle: One of the four University of Idaho students murdered on November 13, 2022. She was awake at the time of the attacks and encountered Kohberger. Her family also expressed frustration with the plea deal.
Ethan Chapin: One of the four University of Idaho students murdered on November 13, 2022. He was Xana Kernodle's boyfriend and was asleep in her bed when he was killed. His family is reportedly at peace with the plea deal.
Dylan Mortensen: One of the two surviving roommates present in the house during the murders. She saw Bryan Kohberger leaving the residence.
Bethany Funke: The other surviving roommate present in the house during the murders.
Judge Steven Hippler: The judge presiding over Bryan Kohberger's case. He accepted the guilty plea and set the sentencing date.
Anne Taylor: Bryan Kohberger's defense attorney. She has been under intense public scrutiny and is seen as having strategically aimed to save Kohberger's life rather than win a trial, leading to the plea deal.
Latah County Prosecutor's Office (represented by prosecutor Bill Thompson): The prosecution team in the case against Bryan Kohberger. They outlined the evidence against him and agreed to the plea deal, citing reasons such as saving money, avoiding the appeals process, and guaranteeing a conviction.
Deputy Darren Duke: A Latah County Sheriff's Deputy who conducted a traffic stop on Bryan Kohberger's car in August 2022, obtaining his identifying information.
Bryan Kohberger's Father: His phone received three long calls from Bryan Kohberger hours after the murders. His DNA, obtained from a Q-tip in trash at his Pennsylvania home, was used to link Bryan Kohberger to the crime scene.
Ben Mogen: Madison Mogen's father, who expressed relief about the plea deal.
Steve Gonzalez: Kaylee Goncalves's father, who is vehemently against the plea deal, calling it a "shortcut" and "pathetic," and states it denies his daughter justice.
Jeff Kernodle: Xana Kernodle's father, who also did not agree with the plea deal.
Bob Motta: A veteran defense attorney and podcast host who offers insights into the legal strategy behind Kohberger's guilty plea.
Chris (Host of "A Deal With the Devil" podcast): Narrator and commentator on the Bryan Kohberger case and plea deal.
Dineine (and "Deline's Insider"/ "Dineine's law enforcement source"): An individual or source providing detailed information and theories regarding the murders and investigation, mentioned as a source for several key details, including the theory about Kaylee fighting back and the carving of Ethan's legs.
Caroline Polisi: CBS News legal contributor who weighs in on the implications and benefits of the plea deal for the state of Idaho and the victims' families.
Gretchen Engel: Executive director of the Center for Death Penalty Litigation, who comments on the commonality of last-minute plea deals in capital cases.
James Alan Fox: A research professor of criminology, law and public policy at Northeastern University, who explains that the lack of victim family consultation in plea deals is normal and appropriate, as the prosecution represents the state, not the families directly.
Nate Eaton: From East Idaho News, who posted pictures from the day Kohberger pleaded guilty and provided commentary on the Idaho Maximum Security Institution.
Jumpsuit Pablo: A creator mentioned for his interpretation of how Kohberger might cope in prison based on his experience.
Asget Get Industries: A channel mentioned for creating a detailed 3D model presentation of the crime scene and events for Dateline.
Chad Daybell: A convicted child murderer and husband of Lori Vallow Daybell, who is on death row at Idaho Maximum Security Institution, the prison where Kohberger is likely to serve his sentence.
Lori Vallow Daybell: Mentioned as Chad Daybell's wife and involved in a separate high-profile case.
Comments