A timeline of the quadruple homicide at the University of Idaho and the investigation that followed.
The brutal killings of four University of Idaho students in mid-November 2022 shocked the small community of Moscow, where the case quickly became a nationwide focus. The victims, Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were found murdered at an off-campus residence, and the case remained unsolved for weeks.
Authorities did not immediately identify a suspect or find the murder weapon, which was believed to be a large fixed-blade knife. The killings baffled investigators, with the town’s police chief later calling it a “very complex” case. This lack of immediate leads prompted the FBI to receive thousands of tips from concerned citizens.
As weeks passed, speculation about the identity of the killer grew, and Moscow residents lived in fear. Despite the lack of answers, the investigation continued. Nearly seven weeks after the murders, police made a significant breakthrough.
In late December 2022, law enforcement officials arrested Bryan Kohberger, a doctoral student in criminal justice, in Pennsylvania. This arrest came after a nationwide search and extensive investigation into the case.
The announcement of Kohberger’s arrest marked the beginning of a new phase in the investigation, according to Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson. While it was a major step forward, authorities stressed that the investigation was far from over and that more details would emerge in the following months.
The arrest of Kohberger, who was linked to the crime scene through DNA evidence, brought a sense of relief to the community, but many questions remained about his possible motives and connection to the victims. As the case continues, authorities have yet to publicly release further information regarding the details of the investigation.