In the months leading up to the tragic quadruple murder of four University of Idaho students in November 2022, Bryan Kohberger’s behavior at Washington State University (WSU) raised significant concerns among faculty and students. These concerns culminated in a chilling warning from a WSU professor, who expressed fear that Kohberger might become a predator if allowed to continue in academia.News.com.au+5LADbible+5New York Post+5YouTube+2Indiatimes+2
Disturbing Behavior and Faculty Concerns
According to newly released police reports, Kohberger’s conduct was increasingly troubling to those around him. A WSU faculty member reported that Kohberger had been involved in incidents where he would block the door to a room where female graduate students were working, preventing them from leaving. On one occasion, the faculty member had to intervene to allow a student to exit. Additionally, there were reports of a break-in at a female student’s apartment, during which personal items such as perfume and underwear were stolen.ABC News+2New York Post+2LADbible+2ABC News+2
The faculty member’s concerns were so serious that she urged her colleagues to cut Kohberger’s funding and remove him from the program. She warned that if he were allowed to continue, he might eventually harass, stalk, or sexually abuse students once he became a professor. Her prediction was based on her experience working with predators and her belief that Kohberger exhibited similar behaviors.Indiatimes+4ABC News+4LADbible+4
Student Reports and Departmental Response
Students and fellow graduate students also reported unsettling behavior from Kohberger. He was described as confrontational and disparaging toward women, often engaging in discussions about “sexual burglary,” a topic related to his field of study. Some students speculated that he might be an “incel,” a term used to describe individuals who are involuntarily celibate and sometimes harbor resentment toward others.Indiatimes+4ABC News+4CBS News+4
In response to these complaints, the department held a mandatory training session for all graduate students to address behavior expectations. Despite these efforts, Kohberger’s behavior continued to raise alarms among faculty and students.ABC News+1
Post-Murder Behavior and Investigative Findings
After the murders, Kohberger’s behavior further alarmed those around him. A fellow student reported that Kohberger had bloody knuckles just prior to the killings, raising suspicions about his involvement. Additionally, Kohberger’s comments about the murders were chilling. He remarked that the perpetrator “must have been pretty good” and suggested that the killings might have been a “one and done” act.ABC News+2New York Post+2
Investigators also uncovered that Kohberger had researched serial killers extensively, including over 20 cases on Christmas Day 2022, and had attempted to erase this data. This behavior indicated a preoccupation with violent crimes and a desire to conceal his interests.the-sun.com
Conclusion
The warnings from faculty and students at WSU about Bryan Kohberger’s behavior were tragically prescient. Despite these concerns, he was allowed to continue in the criminology program, ultimately leading to the horrific murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The case underscores the importance of heeding early warnings and taking appropriate action to prevent potential
