Speculation abounds in the tragic quadruple murder case involving suspect Bryan Kohberger and slain University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. The four were murdered with a knife while they slept in an off-campus housing unit on Nov. 13.
There was little reported evidence for weeks — it took more than a month for a suspect to be named.
But approximately 45 days after the murder, things began to fall into place for investigators — Police arrested Kohberger at his parent’s home in Pennsylvania on Dec. 30. He has since been extradited to Idaho.
Some have described Kohberger as a “genius.” He was a Ph.D. student in criminology at the University of Washington. However, experts point out that if he indeed committed the murders, he made multiple mistakes eventually leading to his arrest.
Some investigators wonder if Kohberger thought he was untouchable — smarter than all and able to stay one step ahead of authorities. It appears that Kohberger taunted authorities on social media sites — commenting on various online forums relating to the murders.
It also appears that Kohberger visited the murder scene hours after the crime was committed and attended a memorial service in December.
The latest surprise revelation in the case was the discovery of a knife sheath near the body of one of the victims. Authorities wonder if the sheath was a taunt or calling card.
During a recent showing of “Dr. Phil,” a crime investigator suggested that leaving a sheath was purposeful and suggested the owner of the knife had killed before.
DNA evidence on the sheath could connect Kohberger to the murders.
Also damning is that a review of phone tracking records observing movement patterns on at least a dozen occasions shows that Kohberger, 28, may have stalked his victims. And on the night of the murders, Kohberger’s car was reportedly sighted circling the off-campus housing unit four times between 3 and 4 a.m.
Former FBI special agent Jonathan Gilliam and trial attorney Mercedes Colwin also appeared on the “Dr. Phil” show and noted that investigators will likely find the knife.” Regarding the sheath, Colwin said: “It could be, I mean, it’s almost as if — and we’ve seen this with other killers — it’s their calling card, ‘I got this.’”
Colwin added: “Especially if you think you’re smarter than everybody else, and he certainly — he had gloves, at least that’s what’s presumed, that he had gloves. He tried to cover himself, did something to dispose of the clothing, if he in fact is the killer, then of course, this is something that could have just been a calling card and left it there.”
Gilliam suggested the brazen murderer may have killed before:
“I think he’s killed before, most likely. Not four people, but I think he’s probably stalked and potentially killed females before.”
A preliminary hearing for Kohberger is scheduled for June 26.
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