Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the University of Idaho murders, was previously investigated for a chilling home invasion, raising questions about a potential pattern of criminal behavior.
At a Glance
- Kohberger was investigated for a 2021 home invasion in Pullman, Washington, 10 miles from the Idaho murders site
- The Pullman incident involved a masked intruder with a knife, similar to the Idaho case
- Kohberger faces four first-degree murder charges for the deaths of four University of Idaho students
- His trial is set to begin on July 30, 2025, in Ada County, Boise
- Prosecutors claim Kohberger’s DNA was found at the crime scene, but he maintains his innocence
Pullman Home Invasion: A Prelude to Tragedy?
In a shocking revelation, Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students, was previously investigated for a home invasion in nearby Pullman, Washington. This incident, occurring in October 2021, bears eerie similarities to the later Idaho murders and has raised alarming questions about Kohberger’s potential criminal history.
The Pullman incident involved a masked intruder entering a woman’s bedroom in the early hours of the morning. The victim provided a harrowing account of the encounter: “I heard my door open and I looked over, and someone was wearing a ski mask and had a knife,” she reported. The woman bravely fought off her attacker, stating, “I kicked the s–t out of their stomach and screamed super loud, and they like flew back into my closet and then ran out my door and up the stairs.”
Bryan Kohberger investigated over nearby home invasion year before alleged slayings of 4 University of Idaho students https://t.co/PxSm1ib9NU
— New York Post (@nypost) December 25, 2024
Connections to the Idaho Murders
The similarities between the Pullman break-in and the Moscow, Idaho homicides are striking. Both cases involved a masked intruder wielding a knife, targeting young women in their homes. The Idaho murders, which occurred in November 2022, resulted in the deaths of four college students. Survivors in the Moscow case described the assailant as having “bushy eyebrows,” a detail that would later become significant in the investigation.
“We have no reason or evidence to believe he was involved in this burglary at this time,” Pullman police said.
Despite the initial investigation, Kohberger was never charged in the Pullman incident. However, he was named a person of interest just 13 days after the Moscow murders, highlighting the potential connection between the two cases. This development has intensified scrutiny of Kohberger’s past and raised questions about possible escalating criminal behavior.
The Case Against Kohberger
Kohberger, a Ph.D. criminology student, now faces four first-degree murder charges and a felony burglary charge for the Moscow murders. Prosecutors have presented compelling evidence, including DNA found on a knife sheath at the crime scene and cell phone data placing him at the location. Despite this, Kohberger has maintained his innocence, citing “late night drives” as his alibi.
The trial, set to begin on July 30, 2025, in Ada County, Boise, is expected to last through November. It will be conducted in phases to determine Kohberger’s guilt and potentially decide on the death penalty. As the legal proceedings unfold, the connection between the Pullman home invasion and the Idaho murders continues to be a point of intense interest for investigators and the public alike.
