Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology Ph.D. student, has been charged with the brutal stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students and faces the death penalty in a trial set for June 2025.

Kohberger stands accused of murdering Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in their off-campus home in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022. Arrested on Dec. 30, 2022, after forensic analysis and surveillance footage linked him to the crime scene, Kohberger faces multiple charges, including four counts of first-degree murder. Despite his not-guilty plea and the absence of the murder weapon, overwhelming evidence like DNA on a knife sheath has prosecutors seeking the death penalty. The trial, delayed for the defense to prepare, is scheduled for June 2025 and expected to last three months.

In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students—Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were stabbed to death in their off-campus home. The case shocked the community and triggered an extensive investigation.

Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a 28-year-old Ph.D. student studying criminology at Washington State University, was later identified as the primary suspect. Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022, at his parents' home in Pennsylvania and subsequently extradited to Idaho to face charges.

Kohberger is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. In a significant development, prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty. Despite his initial not-guilty plea, the mounting evidence has made this a high-stakes case.

The criminal trial is set to begin in June 2025 and is expected to last three months. The delay in proceedings came after Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial during a court appearance in August 2023. His defense team requested additional time to prepare, resulting in the rescheduled trial date.

The grand jury indicted Kohberger on May 17, 2023, for the same four murder charges he already faced. These charges stemmed largely from the substantial forensic and surveillance evidence accumulated by investigators.

Investigators linked Kohberger to the crime scene through several key pieces of evidence. Surveillance footage and forensic analysis played crucial roles, particularly DNA found on a knife sheath at the crime scene. Additional forensic evidence recovered from Kohberger’s apartment included a reddish-brown stained pillowcase, a nitrite-type black glove, and several hair strands.

Furthermore, phone data records showed that Kohberger's phone was in the vicinity of the crime scene on at least 12 occasions before the night of the murders. Investigators also studied surveillance footage from the area, with one witness reporting seeing a masked figure clad in black walking in the vicinity of the murders.

Investigators have not recovered the murder weapon, which they believe to be a large knife used while the victims were likely asleep. Some of the victims had defensive wounds, illustrating the brutality of the attack.

In a move that added another layer to the chilling case, Kohberger and his father drove from Washington State University to Pennsylvania around December 17, 2022, in a white Hyundai Elantra. Law enforcement had kept Kohberger under surveillance before his arrest, compiling evidence that would lead to his eventual capture.

Police chief James Fry confirmed that Kohberger resided in Washington state, a revelation that provided additional context to his movements and the investigation's scope. The case relied heavily on extensive investigative efforts, including the examination of 19,000 tips and widespread forensic analyses.

On June 27, 2024, both the defense and prosecution agreed to a district court judge's proposal for Kohberger's criminal trial to begin in June 2025. The trial’s duration and the high-profile nature of the case ensure it will continue to capture public attention.

This meticulous investigation's complexity reflects the collaboration of multiple agencies and the relentless pursuit of justice for the four young victims and their grieving families. As the trial date approaches, the legal proceedings promise to further uncover the intricate details surrounding this harrowing case.