Unsettling Connection: Idaho Murders Suspect Tied to Prior Crime?

Yellow crime scene tape with blurred lights background

Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the University of Idaho murders, was previously investigated for a home invasion just miles away from the campus killings.

At a Glance

Bryan Kohberger was investigated for a 2021 home invasion in Pullman, Washington, 10 miles from the 2022 Idaho murders.
The Pullman incident involved a masked intruder with a knife, similar to the Idaho case.
Kohberger faces four first-degree murder charges for the Idaho killings.
Authorities have since ruled out Kohberger as a suspect in the Pullman case.
Kohberger’s trial for the Idaho murders is set to begin on July 30, 2025.

Pullman Home Invasion Investigation

In October 2021, a home invasion occurred in Pullman, Washington, just 10 miles from the site of the tragic University of Idaho murders that would take place a year later. The incident involved a masked intruder entering a woman’s bedroom at 3:30 am, wielding a knife. This case has recently gained renewed attention due to its potential connection to Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the Idaho killings.

The victim of the Pullman incident provided a harrowing account of her encounter with the intruder. According to reports, she stated:

“I heard my door open and I looked over, and someone was wearing a ski mask and had a knife, I kicked the s*** out of their stomach and screamed super loud. They flew back into my closet and then ran out my door and up the stairs.”

Despite the victim’s detailed description, no physical evidence was found at the scene. Kohberger was investigated but never charged in connection with this incident.

Similarities to the Idaho Murders

The Pullman break-in shares unsettling similarities with the Moscow, Idaho homicides that occurred in November 2022. In both cases, a masked intruder armed with a knife targeted residences during the early morning hours. The Idaho murders, which claimed the lives of four college students, shocked the nation and led to an intense manhunt.

Man accused in Idaho college murders also investigated for another home invasion: officials https://t.co/TW5M0pVTdf pic.twitter.com/2fwuQ8WvL9

— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) December 25, 2024

Survivors in the Moscow case described the assailant as a masked man with “bushy eyebrows” fleeing the scene. This description, along with other evidence, eventually led investigators to name Kohberger as a suspect in the Idaho case. However, it’s important to note that authorities have since stated that Kohberger is no longer considered a person of interest in the Pullman incident.

Kohberger’s Background and Current Status

Bryan Kohberger, a Ph.D. criminology student at Washington State University at the time of the Idaho murders, was arrested weeks after the killings. His academic background in criminology has raised speculation about his alleged involvement in the crimes. Kohberger now faces four first-degree murder charges and a felony burglary charge for the Moscow murders.

Prosecutors claim that Kohberger’s DNA was found on a knife sheath at the crime scene, and cell phone data places him in the vicinity. However, Kohberger has maintained his innocence, citing “late night drives” as his alibi. His defense team has challenged search warrants, claiming procedural errors and privacy violations.

Looking Ahead

The trial for Bryan Kohberger is set to begin on July 30, 2025, in Ada County, Boise. It is expected to last through November, with phases to determine his guilt and potential death penalty. As the legal process unfolds, the connections between the Pullman home invasion and the Idaho murders continue to intrigue investigators and the public alike, highlighting the complexities of this high-profile case.

While the Pullman case remains unsolved and closed, the upcoming trial for the Idaho murders promises to shed more light on the events that led to this tragic chapter in the community’s history. As the nation watches, the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families remains at the forefront of this ongoing investigation.