Perhaps one of the most heavily publicized American homicide cases in 2022, the tragic events that occurred in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13 have left many unanswered questions for both authorities and the general public. After weeks of investigating and collecting evidence, police arrested quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger on December 30 in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, where his parents reside. Since identifying Kohberger as a Washington State Criminology student, many people have grown suspicious of potential correlations between the suspect’s studies and the murders. While the legitimacy of the case authorities are building against Kohberger is practically indisputable, the suspect’s schooling is unlikely to be directly related to the killings.
Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old graduate student studying within the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University, had been researching the mindsets of serial killers and pursuing his Ph.D. in criminology in the months prior to the Moscow killings. Kohberger’s public defender, Jason LaBar, stated that his client had been following the case with interest but was “shocked” to have been arrested. To contextualize the case being built against Kohberger, it is important to understand his educational background and lifestyle preceding the arrest. In addition to having his own courseload, Kohberger spent his time as a teaching assistant in the fall semester, which is when the murders occurred. When interviewed, his students claimed that Kohberger was intelligent and clearly understood the subject matter, but was known as a harsh grader who gave substantial critiques. About halfway through the semester, roughly around the time of the murders, Kohberger’s grading criteria shifted enormously, and numerous students reported receiving better marks and less feedback. Keeping this in mind, along with the evidence police have gathered from Kohberger’s cellphone records and street camera footage, there seems to be good reason to suspect Kohberger. Beyond this, the suspect’s clear interest in the subject matter of murders and serial killers, along with his track record of battling heroin addiction in high school and questionable posts on social media gives way to the belief that Kohberger is not only capable of these crimes, but more than likely guilty for committing them. However, while Kohberger’s criminology studies are certainly of relevance to his own potential crimes and the case being built against him, there are many other aspects of his character that give way to this individual’s suspicious nature, such as his aggressive nature, as noted by fellow classmates and students, as well as his social media footprint.
Ultimately, time will tell the true nature of Kohberger and this case. With all things considered, it is probable that the police have found their guy, although his motive remains unknown. As this case proceeds and Kohberger awaits trial, I encourage you all to stay current and updated to uncover the truth of these crimes. I would also like to express that my condolences are with the victims and their families, and I hope that the truth will provide everyone with some closure.