Before he allegedly murdered four University of Idaho students, Bryan Kohberger had likely been inside the off-campus home where the killings took place, according to Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson.
Thompson shared new insights from the investigation during an appearance on the 48 Hours podcast, revealing that Kohberger’s movements on the night of the crime suggest prior familiarity with the house. He noted that Kohberger entered through a sliding glass door in the kitchen located on the second floor—an entryway only accessible from the back of the residence.
Cell phone data collected during the investigation indicated that Kohberger had been “stalking that neighborhood,” Thompson said. He may have even been the unidentified individual seen watching one or more of the victims, according to interviews conducted with the two surviving roommates, a friend of one of the victims, and the victim’s ex.
Thompson stated that phone records placed Kohberger in the area more than 20 times—each visit happening after 10 p.m., a time when Thompson emphasized there was “no legitimate reason for him to be over here to shop.”
Those late-night trips, Thompson believes, were for “looking, surveilling and stalking.” He added that during one of those visits, Kohberger may have actually broken into the home.
When asked if there was any proof of that theory, Thompson said there was no definitive evidence either confirming or disproving it. Still, he pointed to how easily Kohberger seemed to navigate a house filled with blind spots.
“The layout of the house is unique. It’s a little bit confusing,” Thompson said, referring to the residence at 1122 King Road—now demolished—where, on November 13, 2022, Kohberger allegedly killed Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.
Thompson said a key breakthrough in the investigation was the discovery of a knife sheath left behind at the crime scene. Trace DNA on the sheath was linked to Kohberger’s father, which prosecutors used to identify the suspect.
As for why Kohberger may have left the sheath behind, Thompson said it likely resulted from an unanticipated encounter with Xana Kernodle.
“Well, no plan is perfect, and we don’t know what may have changed his plans—if they did—inside the home. Because we don’t know who he intended to attack,” Thompson said.
He continued, “We do believe that Xana encountered him while she was still awake. She was up.”
That encounter, Thompson speculated, could have sent Kohberger into a panic.
“And panicked people make some mistakes,” he said.
Thompson concluded with a pointed remark about Kohberger: “Or maybe it’s just simply he’s not as smart as he thought he was.”
