A crucial 911 call from the morning of November 13, 2022, has been released ahead of Bryan Kohberger’s trial. The call was placed hours after four University of Idaho students were murdered in their home. The victims were Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin. The call sheds light on the chaotic scene discovered by the surviving roommates. It was made at 11:55 a.m. by a distressed young woman. She struggled to explain what had happened, saying, “Something just happened in our house. We don’t know what.” A second woman then mentioned that one of the roommates had passed out and was not waking up. She also stated that a man had been seen inside the house the previous night. The dispatcher urged the caller to check on the unconscious person, but the response was filled with panic and uncertainty.
Kohberger Faces Trial for the Brutal Murders of Four Students
Bryan Kohberger is accused of killing the four students in what police have described as a targeted attack. The crime took place in the early hours of November 13, 2022. Investigators believe the killer used a knife. The suspect, a doctoral student at Washington State University, was arrested over a month later. He was taken into custody in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, on December 30, 2022, and later extradited to Idaho. Kohberger has pleaded not guilty to the murders, and the trial is highly anticipated. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. His trial is set to begin on August 11, 2025. All eyes are on the Bryan Kohberger trial as new developments unfold.
The Victims and Their Plans Before the Tragic Night
The four victims were students at the University of Idaho and lived in an off-campus house. Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21, had been best friends since childhood. On the night of November 12, they visited a sports bar. Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, also 20, attended a fraternity party. By 2 a.m., all four were back in their shared home. Kaylee was preparing to move to Texas for a new job after graduation. Madison had plans to relocate to Boise. Xana and Ethan had been dating for months and were both active in student life. Their dreams were tragically cut short that night, and the Bryan Kohberger trial seeks to bring justice for their untimely deaths.
Two Survivors Were Inside the House When the Attack Happened
Two other roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, were in the house but survived. Recently unsealed text messages revealed that Mortensen saw a masked man moving through the house. At 4:22 a.m., she sent a message to Funke, saying she was confused because no one was answering her. She kept trying to contact her roommates, sending another message to Kaylee Goncalves at 4:32 a.m. and again at 10:23 a.m., asking if she was awake. When they found Xana Kernodle unresponsive, they placed the 911 call at 11:58 a.m. The chilling details of that night continue to surface as the Bryan Kohberger trial approaches.
How Police Identified Kohberger as the Main Suspect
Investigators linked Bryan Kohberger to the murders through DNA evidence. A knife sheath was left at the crime scene, and forensic testing found DNA that did not match any records in the FBI database. Authorities then turned to public ancestry websites to narrow down potential suspects. After confirming that Kohberger had traveled to Pennsylvania, local officials collected trash from his parents’ home. The DNA from the trash matched the DNA found on the knife sheath. This breakthrough led to his arrest. As the Bryan Kohberger trial moves forward, his defense team has attempted to challenge the DNA evidence, but the court has ruled that it will be used in the trial.
Kohberger’s Defense Argues Autism and Mental Health Concerns
The defense has presented arguments that Kohberger has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They claim that executing him would violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. According to court filings, Kohberger struggles with rigid thinking and has difficulty processing emotions. His attorneys argue that these traits could impact his behavior in court and during trial proceedings. However, the prosecution maintains that Kohberger’s condition does not change the severity of the charges against him. These complex issues are sure to be closely examined during the Bryan Kohberger trial. The court has yet to make a final ruling on the defense’s argument against the death penalty.
The Trial Will Take Place in a Different County for Fairness
Originally, the trial was scheduled to begin in October 2023. However, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, delaying the process. The case was moved from Latah County to Ada County due to concerns about a fair trial. The judge ruled that keeping the trial in Latah County could lead to bias against Kohberger. The new trial date is set for August 11, 2025. Meanwhile, the court has denied the defense’s motion to suppress key evidence, including DNA samples, surveillance footage, and phone records. As the trial date approaches, the Bryan Kohberger trial continues to draw national attention.
