‘Justice will be found’: Moscow police confirm suspect is in custody, can’t say much else

The Moscow Police Department on Friday announced the arrest of a Washington State graduate student in the killing of four University of Idaho students at an off-campus apartment on Nov. 13, but still could reveal very little about the investigation.

“These murders have shaken our community, and no arrest will ever bring back these young students,” Moscow Police Chief James Fry said during a news conference. “However, we do believe justice will be found through the criminal process.”

Bryan Christopher Kohberger, 28, faces four counts of felony first-degree murder and a felony burglary charge, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said at the news conference. But neither he nor Fry — who repeatedly uttered, “That’s part of the investigation,” in response to questions — could provide much more information.

The probable cause affidavit, which will contain details and lay out the case against Kohberger, is sealed under Idaho law and won’t become public until he is extradited and appears before an Idaho judge.

“This is not the end of this investigation. In fact, this is a new beginning,” Thompson said.

Earlier in the day, Pennsylvania State Police had told the Idaho Statesman that Kohberger, 28, of Albrightsville, was taken into custody on a “fugitive from justice warrant” from Idaho in connection with the homicides.

The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that Kohberger was arrested at roughly 1:45 a.m. Friday. The New York Times quoted Michael Mancuso, an assistant district attorney, with saying that Kohberger was taken into custody at his parents’ house, where he’d been staying the past few weeks.

Washington State University issued a statement confirming that Kohberger was a grad student and saying that the WSU Police Department had assisted Idaho authorities in searching Kohberger’s on-campus apartment in Pullman.

Kohberger began his Ph.D. program at Washington State in the fall and completed his first semester in December, according to the university’s statement.

READ MORE: Who is Bryan Kohberger? What we know about suspect in the University of Idaho homicides

The four victims in the quadruple homicide early Nov. 13 were U of I seniors Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, who were close friends; and junior Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls; and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Washington, who were dating.

The three women lived in the house, while Chapin was staying overnight with Kernodle. All four were stabbed to death.

Authorities remain tight-lipped about details

Question after question at Friday’s news conference, Fry and Thompson reiterated that they could not release specifics about the investigation, the crimes, the motive, what led them to Kohberger and whether he was known to the victims. Both men said more information would be revealed through the court process.

Fry did confirm that a murder weapon still has not been found. He said law enforcement located a Hyundai Elantra; authorities alerted the public nearly a month ago that they were searching for a white Elantra, and wanted to speak to the driver and any occupants of the vehicle.

Asked about the police decision to keep information about the investigation guarded as it proceeded, Fry said at the press conference that he “100% stands behind” that move. He acknowledged that doing so had frustrated the public, but said it was necessary.

“We want to have a situation that when this goes to trial, there’s no doubt that we’ve done everything right,” he said.

U of I President Scott Green said the news of Kohberger’s arrest was a relief for the small community, which has been on edge since the November killings. In less than two weeks, students will return to the Moscow campus for the spring semester, which begins Jan. 11.

Green also thanked Idaho State Police for its “highly visible security presence” on campus, which he said brought comfort.

The university told students earlier this month that it plans to increase the number of law enforcement officials on patrol in January. U of I’s student government asked the school to work with Moscow police, the Latah County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police to watch over neighborhoods close to campus, like the King Road area where the students were killed.

“We never lost faith that this case would be solved,” Green said. “This crime has nevertheless left a mark on our university, our community and our state.”

Kohberger is expected to appear in court in Pennsylvania at 1:30 p.m. Mountain time Tuesday, where he will decide whether to waive his extradition rights and return to Idaho voluntarily, or challenge the extradition.

Thompson encouraged the public to continue to use the tipline — at 208-883-7180 or tipline@ci.moscow.id.us — to help investigators with the case.

This story was originally published December 30, 2022 at 1:51 PM with the headline "‘Justice will be found’: Moscow police confirm suspect is in custody, can’t say much else."