Brian Kohberger was sentenced to four life terms for the murder of four students at the University of Idaho: Kaylee Gonzales, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin
23 july 2025 в 23:13
Brian Kohberger will serve four consecutive life sentences for the murder of four students at the University of Idaho: Kayli Gonsalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. As he sat silently during the sentencing on July 23, 2025, the public learned more about his troubled past, when a family member of the four victims mentioned Kohberger’s alleged past heroin use.
Below you will learn about Kohberger’s life before his imprisonment in 2025.
Kohberger is originally from Pennsylvania. Many details about his childhood and home life are unknown.
Kohberger initially attended DeSales University, where he studied psychology, according to The New York Times. He graduated from the university in 2020, then obtained a master’s degree in criminal justice in 2022. After that, he enrolled in a doctoral program in criminology and criminal justice at Washington State University. In late 2022, he applied for an internship at a local police department.
Michael Kohberger Jr. and MaryAnn Kohberger are Kohberger’s parents, according to several sources. He also has two older sisters.
Kohberger had previously written about his heroin use, according to The New York Times. When he was 16, Kohberger wrote about struggling with depression, and friends claimed he used drugs after high school, the publication reports.
In a message reviewed by NYT, Kohberger wrote that he used drugs only when in a «deeply suicidal state».
It appears that the Kohbergers did not visit him after his arrest, and they did not attend most of his court hearings thereafter. However, the Kohberger family was seen visiting him the day before his sentencing in July 2025, and they were present at the hearing of his guilty plea deal that month.
After accepting the guilty plea deal in July 2025, Kohberger refused to testify during the sentencing. He also never disclosed the motive for the four murders.
Earlier that month, Kohberger stood before a judge during the guilty plea deal hearing. The judge asked, «Do you plead guilty because you are guilty?» to which Kohberger replied, «Yes».
«On November 13, 2022, did you enter the residence at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, with the intent to commit murder?» the judge asked Kohberger, to which he repeated, «Yes».
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the National Helpline for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) at 1−800−662-HELP (4357).
If you or someone you know is in an emotional crisis or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1−800−273-TALK (8255)
Below you will learn about Kohberger’s life before his imprisonment in 2025.
Kohberger is originally from Pennsylvania. Many details about his childhood and home life are unknown.
Kohberger initially attended DeSales University, where he studied psychology, according to The New York Times. He graduated from the university in 2020, then obtained a master’s degree in criminal justice in 2022. After that, he enrolled in a doctoral program in criminology and criminal justice at Washington State University. In late 2022, he applied for an internship at a local police department.
Michael Kohberger Jr. and MaryAnn Kohberger are Kohberger’s parents, according to several sources. He also has two older sisters.
Kohberger had previously written about his heroin use, according to The New York Times. When he was 16, Kohberger wrote about struggling with depression, and friends claimed he used drugs after high school, the publication reports.
In a message reviewed by NYT, Kohberger wrote that he used drugs only when in a «deeply suicidal state».
It appears that the Kohbergers did not visit him after his arrest, and they did not attend most of his court hearings thereafter. However, the Kohberger family was seen visiting him the day before his sentencing in July 2025, and they were present at the hearing of his guilty plea deal that month.
After accepting the guilty plea deal in July 2025, Kohberger refused to testify during the sentencing. He also never disclosed the motive for the four murders.
Earlier that month, Kohberger stood before a judge during the guilty plea deal hearing. The judge asked, «Do you plead guilty because you are guilty?» to which Kohberger replied, «Yes».
«On November 13, 2022, did you enter the residence at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, with the intent to commit murder?» the judge asked Kohberger, to which he repeated, «Yes».
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the National Helpline for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) at 1−800−662-HELP (4357).
If you or someone you know is in an emotional crisis or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1−800−273-TALK (8255)
© Artemenko Olga
