It was the case that terrified a campus and gripped the nation. Now, nearly three years later, Bryan Kohberger has officially pleaded guilty to the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students.
Kohberger, a criminology graduate student, entered the plea in an emotional Boise courtroom — avoiding the death penalty in exchange for four life sentences.
As the names of the victims — Kaylee, Madison, Ethan, and Xana — were read aloud, the families broke down. Some sobbed, others stared through tears as Kohberger confirmed his guilt.
🗡️ A Night of Horror, A Nation in Shock
The stabbings took place in November 2022 in a quiet college town with no homicides for years. Police say Kohberger used a military-style knife, slipping into a rental house in the dead of night.
Two roommates survived. The others never had a chance.
“He stabbed them multiple times,” prosecutors told the court, “some victims fought back.”
🧬 How Police Caught Him
After a weeks-long manhunt, Kohberger was tracked down using genetic genealogy, surveillance footage, and cellphone data. The final link? A knife sheath with his DNA — left behind at the scene.
He was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania and extradited to Idaho.
💔 Families React — Not Everyone Agrees
The Chapin family supported the plea deal. But Kaylee Goncalves' parents wanted a confession — “We deserve to know what really happened,” they said.
For some, this brings closure. For others, more questions. No motive has ever been confirmed. No relationship to the victims has been proven. And the murder weapon? Still missing.
The sentencing is scheduled for July 23.
👇 We break down what happened inside the courtroom — and what comes next.
