Idaho murders: Suspect was identified through DNA using genealogy databases, police say (2024)

Police identified Bryan Christopher Kohberger as the suspect accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November through DNA using public genealogy databases, law enforcement sources told ABC News.

Local police and the FBI tracked him to Pennsylvania through his vehicle. The FBI surveilled the house in the Pocono Mountains for four days prior to the arrest.

The 28-year-old was arrested Friday morning for the murders of roommates Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20, as well as Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20.

Kohberger is a graduate student at Washington State University, located less than 10 miles away from the University of Idaho, Moscow Police Chief James Fry said at a Friday news conference.

The murder weapon has not been recovered, the chief said.

Jason LaBar, Kohberger's public defender in Pennsylvania, told ABC News on Monday that Bryan and his father Michael were pulled over twice in Indiana while driving from Pullman, Washington, to the Poconos, saying it was "approximately an hour apart, once for speeding, once for tailgating."

The pair were doing their preplanned, end-of-semester cross-country road trip, arriving at the family home on Dec. 13, 2022, exactly one month after the murders. They drove in the white Elantra, which is now being processed by authorities.

Idaho murders: Suspect was identified through DNA using genealogy databases, police say (1)

Washington State University identifies Kohberger as a Ph.D. student in its department of criminal justice and criminology. He completed his first semester in its criminal justice program earlier this month, the university said.

Within an hour of Kohberger being identified as the suspect, more than 400 calls came in to the Moscow Police Department's tip line, Fry said.

Kohberger is set to appear in Monroe County Court to face his charges, which include four counts of first-degree murder and burglary.

It is also the first step in his extradition to Idaho, where he will have another appearance.

Monroe County Chief Public Defender Jason LaBar, who is representing the suspect, previously said Kohberger "intends to waive his extradition hearing to expedite his transport to Idaho" and that he "is eager to be exonerated of these charges and looks forward to resolving these matters as promptly as possible."

Police have said they cannot reveal any information, including a motive or further details about how they tracked down Kohberger, until he is back in Idaho.

Many details of the case remain a mystery including a potential motive for the murders or how Kohberger knew the victims.

Idaho murders: Suspect was identified through DNA using genealogy databases, police say (2)

Authorities announced earlier this month that they were looking to speak with the driver of a white 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra that was spotted near the victims' house around the time of the crime.

Asked at Friday's news conference if that car has now been found, the chief replied, "We have found an Elantra."

Fry later told ABC News Saturday that Kohberger is believed to be the only suspect in the high-profile case, authorities said.

"We believe we have our guy, the one that committed these murders," he said, adding that he does not anticipate any additional arrests.

Prior to attending Washington State University, Kohberger attended college at DeSales University, earning his bachelor's degree in 2020 and completing graduate studies in June 2022.

"As a Catholic, Salesian community, we are devastated by this senseless tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims' families during this difficult time," the university said in a statement following his arrest.

ABC News' Kayna Whitworth and Timmy Truong contributed to this report.

Idaho murders: Suspect was identified through DNA using genealogy databases, police say (2024)

FAQs

Idaho murders: Suspect was identified through DNA using genealogy databases, police say? ›

Genetic genealogy

Genetic genealogy
Genetic genealogy is the use of genealogical DNA tests, i.e., DNA profiling and DNA testing, in combination with traditional genealogical methods, to infer genetic relationships between individuals. This application of genetics came to be used by family historians in the 21st century, as DNA tests became affordable.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Genetic_genealogy
was used to link Bryan Kohberger, suspect in Idaho slayings, to crime scene, prosecutors say. DNA found on a knife sheath was at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be Kohberger's than that of an unrelated member of the public, prosecutors said in a court filing last week.

How did police identify the Idaho killer? ›

The police tested DNA from trash found at the family's Pennsylvania home, and arrested Bryan Kohberger Dec. 30, 2022, in a predawn raid. He was later extradited to Idaho.

Was genetic genealogy used in Idaho murders? ›

A hearing Wednesday in the murder trial of Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, focused on the investigative genetic genealogy evidence in the case – an issue his attorneys have said is a key part of his defense.

Is there DNA evidence for the Idaho killer? ›

That DNA evidence taken from the knife sheath at the crime scene "showed a statistical match" with a cheek swab taken directly from Bryan Kohberger after his arrest, authorities said in court filings.

How did they find Bryan Kohberger DNA? ›

DNA evidence was found on the Ka-Bar knife sheath that came from a single source that was male. After assuming the investigation from Idaho State Police, the FBI submitted the possible suspect DNA to publicly available genetic genealogy services to determine potential relatives of the suspect.

What evidence was used in the Idaho murders? ›

The DNA found on the button snap of a leather knife sheath at the crime scene appears to be a strong match with the DNA found in the trash at the Kohberger family residence in Albrightsville, Pa. Investigators believe the homicides occurred between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m.

How did police find Kohberger? ›

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that forensic analysis allegedly linked Kohberger to the crime scene in Idaho, and the affidavit states that DNA was found on a knife sheath left at the scene of the murders. Police also served a warrant on Kohberger's apartment in Washington state.

What is the evidence against Kohberger? ›

According to court documents, police found a Ka-Bar knife sheath under Mogen's body that had Kohberger's DNA on it. They also traced his movements with phone pings and surveillance video of his car.

How did investigators use DNA profiling to identify the suspect in the Idaho student killings? ›

Investigators used DNA to identify Kohberger

They got a warrant to go through trash from Kohberger's family home in Pennsylvania, and obtained DNA from the trash, which they were able to identify with a high level of probability as belonging to the biological father of the person whose DNA was on the knife sheath.

What is a genealogy DNA test for crime? ›

This method involves comparing crime scene DNA profiles with publicly available genetic databases, such as those provided by direct-to-consumer testing companies. By identifying genetic relatives and building family trees through genealogical research, investigators can narrow down potential suspects.

What happens to Brian in DNA? ›

Brian is an emotionally sensitive and relatively innocent boy. He is the least willing character to lie and the one who is most coerced and bullied into doing so. He suffers severe physiological disturbances because he has lied and eventually becomes delusional.

What is Dylan Mortensen doing now? ›

'She is in trauma therapy of sorts, she's getting help from the spiritual community,' he said. 'Isolating herself but she is stepping out a little at a time, she is gaming online with peers in group gaming session. 'She's doing what she can without going into public. '

How did Bryan Adams get discovered? ›

In 1978, aged 18, Bryan met Jim Vallance through a mutual friend in a Vancouver music shop. They formed what would be a successful partnership that would continue for decades. Later that year, Bryan signed to A&M Records for one dollar, and released his debut album in 1980.

How were the bodies found in the Idaho murders? ›

At 11:58 a.m., a 911 call from one of the roommate's phones requested help for an unconscious person, police said. Responding officers then found the four victims. Authorities said they do not believe anyone at the house at the time of the 911 call was involved in the murders.

Who saw the killer in the Idaho murders? ›

While it was initially believed that Mortensen and Funke both slept through the attack, the probable cause affidavit — which was released in January 2023 after Kohberger returned to Idaho — revealed that one of the surviving roommates said they saw the killer.

Did Bryan know the Idaho students? ›

But his defense attorneys say in a court filing that "there is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims." Criminologist and CBS News consultant Bryanna Fox adds that "the defense is claiming that the defendant, Bryan Kohberger, and the victims have absolutely no connection.

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