Why Did Bryan Kohberger Do It? The brutal murders of four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—in November 2022 shocked the nation. Bryan Kohberger, a criminology PhD student, pleaded guilty to the crimes in July 2025, avoiding the death penalty for a life sentence without parole. Yet, even after his confession, one question lingers: Why did he do it? Despite the evidence piling up—DNA, surveillance footage, and cellphone data—the motive behind Kohberger’s actions remains elusive. Let’s explore the possible reasons, drawing from what we know about the case and Kohberger’s background.
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A Troubled Past and Psychological Struggles
Kohberger’s early life offers some clues, though not definitive answers. As a teenager in Pennsylvania, he battled depression, dissociation, and suicidal thoughts, even turning to heroin at one point, according to posts he made online. Friends described him as socially awkward, often struggling to connect, especially with women. A 2015 Tinder date incident, where he allegedly followed a woman to her dorm and refused to leave until she faked illness, hints at troubling behavior. These struggles paint a picture of a young man wrestling with isolation and rejection, which some experts believe could have fueled his actions. Dr. Raj Persaud, a psychiatrist, noted Kohberger’s difficulty forming relationships, suggesting a deep-seated need for control or validation that may have warped over time.
Fascination with Crime and Criminal Minds
Kohberger’s academic path as a criminology student at Washington State University, just miles from the crime scene, raises questions about whether his studies played a role. He was deeply engaged in discussions about forensics and DNA, even posting a Reddit survey asking ex-convicts about their emotions during crimes. Criminologist Dr. Meghan Sacks suggested the killings might have been a “thrill kill,” driven by curiosity rather than personal vendetta. Kohberger’s fascination with criminal psychology, coupled with his access to knowledge about covering tracks, could have emboldened him to act on dark impulses. His professor, Katherine Ramsland, was stunned, saying he “completely fooled” her with his polite, eager demeanor, showing no obvious red flags.
Possible Obsession with a Victim
One theory centers on Madison Mogen as Kohberger’s primary target. Prosecutors noted that he entered the victims’ home through a sliding door and went straight to the third floor, where Mogen and Goncalves were sleeping. The Goncalves family found screenshots suggesting Kohberger followed Mogen and Goncalves on Instagram, liking multiple posts. This digital trail, though unconfirmed, hints at a fixation. Some speculate the other three deaths were collateral, as Kohberger encountered Kernodle and Chapin while leaving. However, prosecutors clarified there was no sexual motive, leaving the nature of any obsession unclear. Was it a personal slight, imagined or real, that set him off? Without Kohberger’s explanation, this remains speculative.
Evidence of Premeditation and a Practice Run
Newly released police records reveal chilling details about Kohberger’s planning. His phone pinged near the victims’ home 23 times between July and November 2022, often at night, suggesting he was surveilling the house. A month before the murders, roommates reported a man lurking outside and their front door mysteriously open, raising the possibility of a practice run. Kohberger’s car, a white Hyundai Elantra, was caught on surveillance near the crime scene, and he took back roads to avoid highway cameras after the killings. His apartment and car were scrubbed clean, showing a calculated effort to erase evidence. This level of preparation suggests the act was not impulsive but a deliberate, cold-blooded plan.
The Unanswered Question at Sentencing
At his sentencing on July 23, 2025, Kohberger remained silent when given the chance to speak, prompting a courtroom outburst calling him a “coward.” Victims’ families, like Kaylee Goncalves’ sister Alivea, expressed frustration, branding him a “psychopath” and “loser.” The plea deal, which spared him execution, divided families—some, like Mogen’s, supported it, while others, like Goncalves’, felt cheated of answers. Prosecutor Bill Thompson hinted Kohberger may not have intended to kill all four, but no clear motive emerged. As Kohberger serves his life sentence in Idaho’s Maximum Security Prison, the question of “why” continues to haunt those left behind.
The Idaho murders case grips us because it defies easy answers. Was Kohberger driven by rejection, a thirst for control, or a twisted curiosity? Without his own words, we may never know. For now, the families and a shaken community are left to heal, even as the mystery endures.