In a major legal setback for Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of brutally killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, an Idaho judge has denied his request to suppress critical DNA evidence and other materials linked to the case.
Kohberger’s defense team sought to exclude genetic genealogy evidence, which investigators say directly connects him to the crime scene. They also attempted to block evidence obtained from his online accounts, apartment in Washington, and his parents’ home in Pennsylvania. However, Judge Steven Hippler rejected all requests, ruling that Kohberger’s constitutional rights were not violated and law enforcement acted lawfully in their investigation.
Key Evidence Upheld in Court
Prosecutors argue that in the early hours of November 13, 2022, Kohberger, then a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University, broke into an off-campus home and fatally stabbed four students:
- Ethan Chapin, 20
- Madison Mogen, 21
- Xana Kernodle, 20
- Kaylee Goncalves, 21
Investigators focused on Kohberger after a six-week-long manhunt, arresting him on December 30, 2022, at his parents’ Pennsylvania home. He was later indicted for four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. His trial is scheduled for August 2025, and he faces the death penalty if convicted.
DNA Evidence: The Game Changer
One of the most significant pieces of evidence against Kohberger is DNA collected from a knife sheath found at the crime scene. Investigators used investigative genetic genealogy, a controversial method that traces potential suspects through family DNA databases, to identify him.
The judge ruled that law enforcement did not violate Kohberger’s rights by using this technique and that DNA recovered from his father’s trash also legally connected him to the crime.
Additionally, surveillance teams observed suspicious behavior before his arrest, including Kohberger allegedly wearing rubber gloves while handling items late at night—a detail prosecutors say points to evidence tampering.
With this ruling, prosecutors will be able to present all collected DNA and forensic evidence in court. Kohberger remains in custody, awaiting his high-profile trial.
