A video allegedly showing Bryan Kohberger, convicted of killing four University of Idaho students, inside his prison cell began circulating on social media this week. The footage appears to show Kohberger placing an object on a shelf in his cell.
The Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC) is investigating the source and authenticity of the video. In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the department said: “We are aware of the videos circulating online and are investigating the matter. While we cannot yet confirm the veracity of the videos, if verified, they are a clear violation of IDOC policy and the parties responsible will be held accountable, up to and including termination.”
Ada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the footage did not originate from Ada County Jail. Latah County Jail also stated it was not from their facility. The exact date when the video was recorded remains unknown.
Bryan Kohberger is serving four consecutive life sentences at Idaho Maximum Security Institution near Boise after accepting a plea deal that removed the possibility of facing execution by firing squad. He is currently housed in solitary confinement on J Block with limited outdoor time each day.
Reports indicate that other inmates have been taunting Kohberger through vents in his unit. According to news outlets, he has been subjected to verbal harassment while in custody.
Kohberger was indicted last year by a grand jury for four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary related to the November 13, 2022 killings of Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves. Investigators matched DNA found on a knife sheath at the crime scene to Kohberger using investigative genetic genealogy methods.
Idaho police officer Brett Payne described evidence collected from the scene: “The sheath was later processed and had ‘Ka-Bar’ ‘USMC’ and the United States Marine Corps eagle globe and anchor insignia stamped on the outside of it,” Payne wrote in an affidavit. “The Idaho state lab later located a single source of male DNA (suspect Profile) left on the button snap of the knife sheath.”
Following a partial lifting of a gag order last month, Steve Goncalves—the father of victim Kaylee Goncalves—told NewsNation host Ashleigh Banfield that he believes Kohberger’s crimes were sexually motivated.
Kaylee Goncalves’ father also stated there was evidence indicating his daughter had been gagged during her murder and referenced searches found on Kohberger’s phone for specific pornographic content involving unconscious or gagged women.
