Overview

• Investigators linked Kohberger to the Nov. 13, 2022 killings of four University of Idaho students using DNA evidence, cell-phone records and surveillance footage.
• In early July, Kohberger accepted a plea deal and entered guilty pleas to four counts of first-degree murder and burglary without being required to explain his motive.
• Family members remain divided over the agreement, with some decrying the loss of a potential death-penalty verdict and others relieved to avoid a drawn-out trial.
• Clinical psychologists point to Kohberger’s history of bullying, heroin addiction and fascination with notorious killers as factors that may have driven his violent fantasies and alleged stalking.
• He is scheduled to be formally sentenced on July 23, when the court will also hear victim impact statements from the families.