Kohberger's Disturbing Behavior Spooked Idaho University Staff and Students

Uncovering a Pattern of Concerning Behavior

Bryan Kohberger, who was later sentenced to life in prison without parole for the stabbing murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022, had already shown troubling behavior during his time at Washington State University. According to investigation documents released by Idaho State Police, Kohberger developed a reputation as being sexist and creepy while enrolled in a criminal justice program.

Several faculty members and students reported that Kohberger's actions were so concerning that one professor warned her colleagues that if he were allowed to continue in the program, he might eventually become a threat to students. The professor reportedly told her coworkers, “Mark my word, I work with predators, if we give him a Ph.D., that's the guy that in that many years when he is a professor, we will hear is harassing, stalking, and sexually abusing ... his students at wherever university.”

This warning came from a faculty member who believed Kohberger was not only inappropriate but also potentially dangerous. She described how Kohberger would sometimes enter offices where female graduate students worked and physically block the door, making it difficult for them to leave. On more than one occasion, she intervened to help a student escape the situation.

Signs of Stalking and Unsettling Conduct

The faculty member also shared concerns about Kohberger’s possible involvement in a break-in at a female student’s apartment. She reported that someone had stolen perfume and underwear from the student’s home, and she believed Kohberger might have been responsible. This incident, combined with other reports, led some in the department to speculate that Kohberger could be an “incel” — someone who identifies as an involuntary celibate and may hold extreme views on relationships and gender roles.

An unnamed Ph.D. student who was in the same program as Kohberger told investigators that Kohberger enjoyed conflict and often made disparaging remarks about women. He also seemed fascinated with the concept of sexual burglary, which became his field of study. The student expressed concern that some people in the department thought Kohberger might be a potential rapist.

Aftermath of the Murders

About three weeks after the killings, Kohberger reportedly told the same Ph.D. student that whoever committed the crimes must have been “pretty good.” He also suggested that the murders might have been a “one and done type thing,” according to police reports. The student said she had never met anyone who acted in such a condescending manner and questioned why no one in the department addressed Kohberger’s behavior.

Another instructor who worked with Kohberger on his doctoral program reported receiving multiple complaints about his conduct. In late August 2022, she began hearing concerns from students and staff about his interactions with others, particularly women. During disciplinary meetings, the focus was often on his behavior both inside and outside the classroom.

Multiple Complaints and Responses

Idaho State Police Detective Sean Prosser noted that the school received nine separate complaints from faculty, administration staff, and students regarding Kohberger’s “rude and belittling behavior toward women.” In response, the university held a mandatory training session for all graduate students about expected behavior.

Despite these concerns, many of Kohberger’s peers did not suspect his involvement in the killings. However, one student noticed a change in his behavior after the murders. She reported that Kohberger stopped bringing his phone to class and appeared more disheveled in the following weeks. She also found it strange that he never participated in conversations about the Moscow deaths.

Eventually, the student called a police tip line to report that she had seen Kohberger with bloody knuckles just before the killings and thought his hand looked like it had been hitting something. These observations added to the growing list of red flags surrounding Kohberger’s behavior.