The gag order on the Idaho University case has been lifted following Bryan Kohberger’s sentencing — and more details about the murders are being revealed.
On November 13, 2022, Kohberger entered the residence of 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho and stabbed college students Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin to death. He was arrested more than one month after the killings and initially pleaded not guilty.
In July 2025 — one month before his trial was set to start — Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary as part of a deal that took the death penalty off the table. He was sentenced to four lifetimes in prison without the possibility of parole later that month.
Ada County District Court Judge Steven Hippler lifted the gag order on the case amid Kobherger’s sentencing. While several key players in the investigation are now able to speak publicly, some documents regarding the case are still sealed. The Moscow Police Department has, however, released investigatory records related to the case.
Keep scrolling for everything to know:
Who Is Bryan Kohberger?
Prior to his conviction, Kohberger was studying for a PhD at Washington State University in Pullman. He was spotted outside the King Road house 23 times before the murders.
What Did Bryan Kohberger Do?
Kohberger used a Ka-Bar knife with “a lot of force” while murdering the four college students, documents reveal. While the murder weapon has never been recovered, a knife sheath recovered at 1122 King Road helped lead to Kohberger’s arrest.
Kohberger asked for a lawyer during his first interview with police in December 2022. He has not spoken about the motive for the crime. When asked if he had words for the victim’s families in his July 2025 sentencing hearing, Kohberger replied: “I respectfully decline.”
What Happened to Xana Kernodle?
Documents released by the Moscow Police Department reveal that “it was obvious an intense struggle had occurred” between Kernodle and Kohberger based on the “defensive knife wounds” on her hands. Her body was discovered with more than 50 stab wounds on the floor of her bedroom.
What Happened to Ethan Chapin?
Chapin was found dead in Kernodle’s bed, the documents reveal, noting that he had “stab wounds” and was “covered in blood.”
What Happened to Maddie Mogen?
Both Mogen and Goncalves were also found dead in the same bed, the Moscow Police Department documents revealed. Mogen had wounds to her arms, hands and face.
What Happened to Kaylee Goncalves?
The documents reveal that Goncalves was “unrecognizable” following the “damage” to her face — according to multiple accounts from the police officers on scene. She had more than 20 stab wounds.
Were There Any Surviving Roommates?
Yes. Both Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke survived the attack. The new documents reveal that Mortensen misidentified two of her deceased roommates because of the severity of their wounds. Mortensen saw Kohberger walk through the house but “was intoxicated and didn’t want to believe what was going on.” Transcripts of her interview with the police reveal that Mortensen heard what she believed to be a man’s voice say, “You’re gonna be fine. I’m gonna help you.”
Mortensen spoke publicly for the first time during Kohberger’s sentencing hearing in July 2025.
“What happened that night changed everything,” she said, in part. “Because of him, four beautiful, genuine, compassionate people were taken from this world for no reason.”
Mortensen added, “Living is how I honor them. Speaking today is to help me find some sort of justice for them, and I will never let him take that from me. He may have taken so much from me, but he will never get to take my voice.”
Funke also wrote a letter for the hearing, but it was read in court by a friend.
How Long Will Bryan Kohberger Be in Prison?
Kohberger received four life sentences without the possibility of parole.
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