In Boise, Idaho, recent court documents have shed light on the terrifying morning when two roommates survived a brutal attack that claimed the lives of four University of Idaho students. Text messages exchanged between the survivors reveal their fear and confusion upon encountering a masked intruder in their shared residence.
On the morning of November 13, 2022, one of the roommates, identified in the documents as D.M., texted her co-survivor, B.F., around 4 a.m., expressing her distress over seeing a man inside the house wearing an item resembling a ski mask. Attempts to reach their roommates via phones went unanswered, further heightening their anxiety.
D.M. messaged B.F., stating her panic due to the masked man’s presence, who had his head and mouth covered in a manner akin to a ski mask. B.F. urged D.M. to retreat to their room for safety.
Charges concerning this tragic incident have been leveled against Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of murdering University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves. A judge entered a plea of not guilty on Kohberger’s behalf, and his trial is anticipated to occur later in the year.
Court documents reveal that one roommate had been stirred awake around 4 a.m., suspecting an unknown person was in the house after hearing one roommate mention something similar. Initially, she investigated but noticed nothing unusual. However, later she heard sobbing from Kernodle’s room and upon a second check, overheard a male voice offering assurances of help.
Opening her door once more, she came face-to-face with an unknown, masked individual clad in black. She stood motionless as he proceeded past her, heading towards a sliding glass door. She subsequently re-entered her room and secured the door.
Investigators speculate that the suspect vacated the premises shortly afterward. The police were not contacted until hours later, and the court files do not clarify the delay.
Experts in mental health highlight that typical responses to traumatic or frightening situations include the instinct to fight, flee, or freeze, which might explain the actions of the surviving roommates at that moment.
