High-Profile Murder Suspect’s Previous Brush With the Law Exposed

Crime scene tape and evidence markers on pavement

Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the University of Idaho student murders, was previously investigated for a home invasion, raising questions about a potential pattern of violent behavior.

At a Glance

Bryan 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 was later ruled out as a suspect in the Pullman case.
He faces four first-degree murder charges for the Idaho killings.
His trial is set to begin on July 30, 2025, in Ada County, Boise.

Pullman Home Invasion Investigation

In October 2021, a home invasion occurred in Pullman, Washington, just 10 miles from the site of the tragic University of Idaho student murders. The incident, which took place at 3:30 am, involved a masked intruder wielding a knife who entered a woman’s bedroom. The victim’s description of the event was harrowing:

“I heard my door open and I looked over, and someone was wearing a ski mask and had a knife, I kicked the s*** out of their stomach and screamed super loud. They flew back into my closet and then ran out my door and up the stairs.”

Bryan Kohberger, who would later be accused of the Idaho murders, was investigated but never charged in connection with this incident. However, authorities have since stated that Kohberger is no longer a person of interest in the Pullman case.

Similarities and Differences

The Pullman break-in and the Moscow homicides share some striking similarities, including a masked intruder and the presence of a knife. However, key differences in suspect descriptions and other factors ultimately led to Kohberger being ruled out as a suspect in the Pullman case.

It’s worth noting that Kohberger was not enrolled at Washington State University at the time of the 2021 Pullman incident. The Pullman case remains unsolved and closed.

The Moscow Murders and Kohberger’s Arrest

In November 2022, four University of Idaho students were brutally stabbed to death in their off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho. Survivors in the home described a masked man with “bushy eyebrows” fleeing the scene. Kohberger, a Ph.D. criminology student, was arrested weeks after the Idaho murders.

Prosecutors claim that Kohberger’s DNA was found on a knife sheath at the crime scene, and cell phone data places him at the location. Despite this evidence, Kohberger has maintained his innocence, citing “late night drives” as his alibi.

Legal Proceedings and Trial

Kohberger now faces four first-degree murder charges and a felony burglary charge for the Moscow murders. His trial is set to begin on July 30, 2025, in Ada County, Boise, and is expected to last through November. The trial will include phases to determine his guilt and potential death penalty.

As the legal process unfolds, Kohberger has challenged search warrants, claiming procedural errors and privacy violations. His academic background in criminology has also raised speculation about his involvement in the crimes.

The investigation into the University of Idaho student murders continues to reveal complex layers, as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident. While the connection to the Pullman home invasion has been ruled out, it remains a stark reminder of the importance of thorough investigations in violent crime cases.