The small college town of Moscow, Idaho, was shaken to its core on November 13, 2022. Four bright University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were found brutally stabbed in an off-campus home.
The case took the nation by storm. For weeks, fear and confusion gripped the community. Then, almost seven weeks later, police arrested a 28-year-old criminology PhD student named Bryan Kohberger.
Now, here's the big question: Why did he choose those specific victims? It’s a question that continues to haunt many. Let’s take a long, hard look at what’s known, what experts believe, and what may never be fully understood.
Who Is Bryan Kohberger?
Before diving into the “why,” it helps to know the “who.” Bryan Kohberger wasn’t some random drifter or hardened criminal. He was a student—studying for his PhD in criminology at Washington State University, just about 10 miles from the murder scene. He’d earned his master’s in criminal justice from DeSales University in Pennsylvania and was described by some classmates as socially awkward, obsessive about crime, and, at times, strangely intense.
Reports suggest he struggled with mental health issues and had been bullied in high school. Yet he was highly intelligent—too intelligent, some say—and had a strange fascination with criminal behavior, especially serial killers. He even posted questions on Reddit years earlier, asking criminals about their “thoughts and feelings” before, during, and after committing crimes. Creepy, right?
A Chilling Obsession with Control
Some forensic psychologists believe Kohberger was obsessed with power, control, and outsmarting others. Choosing four college students who lived in a seemingly unprotected house might’ve seemed like the “perfect” crime to him—a twisted way to test his own theories. After all, he studied exactly this kind of thing: how criminals operate, how victims behave, and how law enforcement investigates.
He didn’t just walk into any house that night. He allegedly stalked the area for weeks, even driving by the home multiple times, according to cellphone records. Surveillance footage and reports show his white Hyundai Elantra circling the house several times before and after the murders. That wasn’t random—it was methodical.
Did He Know the Victims?
Now, this is where things get murky. Some reports suggest Kohberger may have followed at least one of the female victims—Kaylee or Madison—on Instagram before the murders. Allegedly, he even slid into one of their DMs but never got a response. Authorities haven't confirmed this officially, but it paints a disturbing picture.
Experts say this kind of rejection, especially from someone he might've seen as socially superior or unattainable, could’ve triggered deep feelings of anger or resentment. Kohberger didn’t just want revenge—he wanted to show dominance. It’s a common theme among killers who feel invisible, ignored, or belittled in their everyday lives.
Symbolism or Strategy?
Let’s break this down further. Kaylee and Madison were best friends, close in appearance and personality. Xana and Ethan were dating, vibrant and full of life. All four represented something Kohberger might’ve envied or resented: popularity, love, social connection—things he reportedly lacked.
Some experts suggest he might’ve chosen them to fulfill some internal fantasy or to attack what he couldn’t have. This wasn't about money or revenge in the traditional sense. It seemed more psychological—like a twisted mission.
Others think it may have been a “practice run,” part of a larger plan he was formulating. Think about it: a criminology student committing such a high-profile crime? That’s not coincidence. It almost feels like he wanted to prove he could do it—and get away with it.
Red Flags in Hindsight
Here’s the thing: the signs were there. Former classmates described how Kohberger made unsettling comments in class about criminals and their motives. He reportedly became obsessive about certain topics, like how the mind of a murderer works. He even conducted a disturbing online survey asking ex-cons about how they planned their crimes.
That’s not normal academic curiosity—it’s something darker. People who knew him said he had a “cold stare,” barely showed emotion, and had few friends. All this suggests a man who lived in his head, consumed by thoughts of violence and control.
The Psychology Behind It
So, what makes someone like Bryan Kohberger tick? Psychologists point to a cocktail of factors—social rejection, obsessive personality traits, possible antisocial behavior, and maybe even narcissism. He likely didn’t feel empathy the way most of us do. To him, those four students might’ve been more like “subjects” in an experiment than real people with dreams and futures.
Some professionals suggest he may have had traits of what's known as “incel ideology”—where men who feel rejected by women harbor deep resentment and entitlement. While nothing has officially linked him to such groups, the idea lingers.
Why These Victims, Then?
Here’s the short version: Kohberger likely chose them because they represented everything he wasn’t. They were socially active, attractive, loved by peers—and perhaps unknowingly ignored or rejected him. That’s a potent mix for someone filled with rage, insecurity, and a need to feel powerful.
He may have also believed he could pull it off. That house had been known to have lots of guests, parties, and foot traffic. In his twisted mind, he might’ve thought the chaos would help him blend in or escape unnoticed.
What the Trial Might Reveal
As of now, Kohberger has pleaded not guilty, and his trial has been delayed multiple times. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty. As evidence continues to unfold—including DNA, cellphone data, and surveillance footage—more details about his motive may surface. But one thing is clear: this wasn’t random.
Closing Thoughts
It’s hard to wrap your head around why someone would do something so horrific. But when you peel back the layers, you see a pattern—one shaped by isolation, obsession, resentment, and perhaps a desire for fame or recognition. Bryan Kohberger didn’t just snap one night. This was calculated. Cold. And, in some terrifying way, part of a plan he may have been crafting for years.
Whether justice will ever feel like enough is another story. But understanding why he did it brings us one small step closer to preventing the next one
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