Police Arrest Suspect Over Deaths of Four Idaho Students
On Friday, December 30, authorities in Moscow, Idaho, said a suspect had been arrested over the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in mid-November.
In a press conference, Moscow Police Chief James Fry said 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger, a graduate student at Washington State University, had been arrested in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, and that the extradition process was underway.
Students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found dead at a rental home near the University of Idaho’s campus early on November 13.
Citing the county coroner that conducted the autopsies, the Associated Press reported the students were likely asleep when they were stabbed. Credit: City of Moscow via Storyful
Video Transcript
JAMES FRY: Thank you for coming today. Last night, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, detectives arrested 28-year-old Brian Christopher Kohberger in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania on a warrant for murder of Ethan, Xana, Madison, and Kaylee. I want to personally thank these agencies for their assistance in this case.
Kohnberger resides in Pullman, Washington and is a graduate student at Washington State University. We'll provide as much information as we can about the extradition to Idaho and the criminal process. However, due to Idaho State law, we are limited in what information we can release today until Kohlberger has his initial appearance in Idaho court.
I want to express my appreciation to our local community, the people of Idaho, and those throughout our nation who provided information to help us investigate these MDRs has been very impressive. We've received over 19,000 tips. And we've conducted over 300 interviews. To recap this case, on the evening of November 12th, Kaylee and Madison arrived home at about 1:56 AM after visiting a local bar and street food vendor. Ethan and Xana were at the Sigma Chi house before arriving home around 1:45 AM.
The two surviving roommates had also been in the community, but returned around 1:00 AM. On the morning of November 13, a 911 call was made at 11:58 AM, reporting an unconscious person at the residence. The call came in call came from inside the home from one of the surviving roommate's cell phones. Moscow police responded and found two victims on the second floor and two victims on the third floor.
On November 17, autopsies were conducted and the Latah County coroner confirmed the identity of the four victims. The cause and manner of death was homicide by stabbing. Some had defensive wounds and each had multiple-- each had been stabbed multiple times. These murders have shaken our community and no arrest will ever bring back these young students.
However, we do believe justice will be found through the criminal process. This was a very complex and extensive case. We had developed a clear picture over time and we stand assured that the work is not done. But be assured the work is not done. This is just started
Since November, we have remained laser focused on pursuing every lead in our pursuit of justice for the victims and their families. I recognize the frustration with the lack of information that's been released. However, providing any details in this criminal investigation might have tainted the upcoming criminal prosecution or alerted the suspect of our progress.
We will continue to provide as much information as we can as the process moves forward. Today I want to specifically Thank our dedicated Moscow Police Department detectives, patrol officers, the Idaho State detectives, the Idaho State troopers, and their crime lab, technicians and scientists, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the resources and personnel to conduct this massive investigation. It was the dedication of them and the persistence and the numerous hours that led to an arrest.
Fortunately, these highly skilled people worked together as a cohesive team to solve this case. I also want to thank our community and the nation. Over the past six weeks, I've been continually reminded of how much our community cares. Locally, public support has been exceptional, with kind words, food for investigators, and letters of support. You will never know how much your words of encouragement help us through these trying times. I appreciate each of you and each of your kindness.
Agencies and individuals from across the nation have reached out to us to express their support to this department. I'm reminded how our Moscow community, our families, and the nation has been impacted by this daily. Finally, I do want to thank our media partners for the help. You kept this in the news. You helped us with tips. You kept things going and we truly appreciate that. And you are the product of those 19,000 tips that we received, which is an impressive number.
