Idaho murder suspect: Who is Bryan Christopher Kohberger?

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Suspect in Idaho murders arrested Albrightsville, Pa.

Fox News’ William la Jeunesse reports on police arresting a suspect in the murder of four University of Idaho students.

The suspect arrested Friday in connection to the murders of four University of Idaho students studies criminal justice at Washington State University and was hiding out at his parents’ home in eastern Pennsylvania after the killings.

Bryan Christopher Kohberger, 28, is a PhD student at the department of criminal justice and criminology, according to the WSU website. 

The college town of Pullman, Washington, is about eight miles from the King Road home where Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20, were stabbed to death between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Nov. 13.

Kohberger was arrested at about 1:30 a.m. Friday by local police and the FBI at his parents’ home in the gated community of Indian Mountain Lake in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, court and public records show.

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDERS TIMELINE: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SLAUGHTER OF FOUR STUDENTS

Bryan Christopher Kohberger was arrested Friday morning in connection to the murders of four University of Idaho students.
(Washington State University/ Instagram)

ABC reported that a SWAT team descended on the property, which is near several ski resorts and the Pocono Raceway, to take him into custody. The Indian Mountain Lake website informed residents of the FBI raid.

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A white Hyundai Elantra was removed from the home, two law enforcement sources told NBC. Moscow police had said they were looking for a white 2011 to 2013 Hyundai Elantra spotted near the King Road home around the time of the murders. 

Investigators had been sifting through more than 22,000 registered cars that matched their search criteria, according to police.

Bryan Kohberger was arrested Friday in connection to the murders of four University of Idaho students based on an active arrest warrant for first-degree murder issued by the Moscow Police Department and Latah County Prosecutor’s Office.
(Monroe County Correctional Facility via AP)

Magisterial District Judge Michael Muth ordered Kohberger held without bond Friday at his initial appearance in Monroe County Court in Pennsylvania – more than 2,500 miles from the crime scene.

The suspect has roots in the Keystone state going back at least to 2013 when he registered as a Libertarian in Albrightsville, public records show. He does not appear to have a criminal record.

Kohberger appears to have worked in the Pleasant Valley School District as a “casual security officer” as recently as August 2021, according to board of education meeting minutes. The school didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

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He has two sisters, including one that works as marriage and family therapist in New Jersey. 

Kohberger graduated from DeSales University in Allentown with a bachelor’s degree in 2020 and Master of Arts in Criminal Justice in 2022, according to a commencement program.

The victims of Nov. 13 University of Idaho massacre. 
(Instagram @xanakernodle / @maddiemogen / @kayleegoncalves)

 DeSales University issued a statement in response to Kohberger’s arrest. “As a Catholic, Salesian community, we are devastated by this senseless tragedy,” the statement says. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families during this difficult time.”

Police executed a search warrant Friday morning on his Pullman, Washington, apartment and office, which are both located on campus, according to a statement from WSU.

“On behalf of the WSU Pullman community, I want to offer my sincere thanks to all of the law enforcement agencies that have been working tirelessly to solve this crime,” said Elizabeth Chilton, chancellor of the WSU Pullman campus and WSU provost. “This horrific act has shaken everyone in the Palouse region.”

General views of the home in Moscow, Idaho, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, where a quadruple homicide took place last month.
(Hunter Richards for Fox News Digital)

The Moscow Police Department, along with Idaho State Police and the FBI, have been working feverishly for nearly seven weeks to solve the baffling quadruple homicide.

It was not immediately clear if Kohberger had any connection to the victims, who were ambushed in their sleep and each stabbed multiple times with a large fixed-blade knife. Some of the victims had defensive wounds, according to officials.

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The Moscow Police Department is urging the public to submit any images or information that they think could be important or useful to their investigation. They can do so by calling 208-883-7180, submitting tips through tipline@ci.moscow.id.us and sending digital media here. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Rebecca Rosenberg is a veteran journalist and book author with a focus on crime and criminal justice. Email tips to rebecca.rosenberg@fox.com and @ReRosenberg.