Additional Coverage:
Newly released documents reveal that Bryan Kohberger, sentenced to life in prison for the murders of four University of Idaho students, exhibited disturbing behavior in the months prior to the killings. Students and faculty at nearby Washington State University, where Kohberger was a PhD student in criminology, described him as creepy, intense, and aggressive.
Several individuals reported Kohberger’s unsettling habit of staring intensely at others, particularly women. One student meticulously tracked Kohberger’s stares, feeling that he was following her and deliberately blocking her path.
Another student reported that Kohberger would position himself behind her desk and look over her shoulder while she worked. This behavior prompted one professor to escort the student to her car after work.
Kohberger’s classroom demeanor was equally troubling. One student described him as trying to dominate discussions and aggressively sparring with professors, seemingly attempting to portray himself as the “strongest, smartest, most important person in the room.” This student admitted having a “bad feeling” about Kohberger from their first meeting.
Faculty members also expressed concerns about Kohberger’s behavior. They held meetings to discuss his “highly problematic” conduct, including unnerving classroom behavior and confrontations with peers.
One professor recalled an incident where Kohberger blocked his exit from an office, an act described as “power tripping.” Another professor warned colleagues that Kohberger could become the type of professor who harasses and stalks students.
The documents paint a picture of an individual who made those around him uncomfortable. Students and faculty described intervening to shield others from Kohberger, intercepting him in hallways and inserting themselves into conversations.
One faculty member even instructed a student to use the subject line “911” in emails if she ever needed help. These accounts collectively depict a pattern of disturbing behavior that preceded the tragic events of November 13, 2022.