Idaho murder suspect left knife sheath at the crime scene with his DNA, court hears
Anish Vij
Featured Image Credit: Zuma Press / Alamy Stock Photo / Instagram
It is believed that Bryan Kohberger, the person suspected of killing the four Idaho university students, left the knife sheath at the crime scene with his DNA, the court has heard.
Four University of Idaho students were tragically found stabbed to death in their shared home near the university campus on Sunday 13 November.
The victims have been named as Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.
Police have identified 28-year-old criminal justice graduate student, Kohberger, as a suspect.
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He was arrested in Pennsylvania on 30 December in connection with the murders.
Officials obtained DNA samples from the crime scene, cell phone records and identification of his white Hyundai Elantra, a probable cause affidavit reads.
The document states there was a 'tan leather knife sheath' laying next to victim Mogen’s bed.
“The Idaho state lab later located a single source of male DNA left on the button snap of the knife sheath,” the affidavit reads.
Police also found that Kohberger matched the description of a surviving witness that 'saw a figure clad in black clothing that covered the person’s mouth and nose walking towards her'.
"Kohberger also posted a Reddit survey which ... asked for participants to provide information to 'understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision making when committing a crime,'" the affidavit said.
Moscow police said on Tuesday night that an Idaho judge has issued a nondissemination order.
"The order prohibits any communication by investigators, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and agents of the prosecuting attorney or defense attorney concerning this case," police said.
"Due to this court order, the Moscow Police Department will no longer be communicating with the public or the media regarding this case."
Michelle Bolger is an associate professor at DeSales University, a private Catholic university in Pennsylvania.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 33-year-old described Kohberger as a 'great writer' and a 'brilliant student'.
"In my 10 years of teaching, I’ve only recommended two students to a Ph.D. program and he was one of them," she said.
"He was one of my best students, ever. Everyone is in shock over this."
She went on: "I’m shocked as s— at what he’s been accused of. I don’t believe it, but I get it,” Bolger said. “This news is upsetting. I haven’t slept at all since hearing about Bryan."
Bolger taught Kohberger in an online class last year, supporting his master’s thesis.
She added: "I never saw him in person, I couldn’t tell you how tall he was or how much he weighed, my only interaction with him was via email and Zoom.
"I didn’t know anything about him, whether he was married, had a girlfriend, etc."