Suspect arrested in case of University of Idaho murders

Police have arrested a suspect in relation to the tragic murders of four University of Idaho students in November.

Seven weeks after the murder of four students in Moscow, Idaho, police say they arrested Bryan Christopher Kohberger, 28, Thursday night in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania. Kohberger remains in Pennsylvania and has not yet appeared in an Idaho court.

Moscow police report that Kohberger was wanted on four counts of first-degree murder and felony burglary. Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI assisted with the arrest. CNN reports that an FBI team surveilled and tracked Kohberger for four days before the arrest was made.

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“These murders have shaken our community and I know that no arrest will restore the families or bring these young students back," Moscow Police Chief James Fry said in a statement. "However, we believe in the criminal process and continue to extend our most sincere condolences to the families.”

“Since November, investigators have been laser-focused on pursuing every lead in our pursuit of justice. This complex case took extensive work to develop a clear picture of what occurred and I’m thankful to the dedication shown by members of the Moscow Police Department, Idaho State Police detectives and Crime Lab technicians and scientists, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the resources and personnel to conduct this massive investigation. It was persistent determination and extensive hours spent unraveling this case that led to an arrest.”

Moscow police report that the suspect, Kohberger, is a resident of Pullman, Washington, and is a graduate student at Washington State University, located about nine miles from Moscow, Idaho.

Police note that the case cannot move forward, and more information cannot be released, until Kohberger is brought back to Idaho and appears in court. Moscow police say that no bond will be issued and Kohberger can fight the extradition to Idaho.

CNN further reports that Kohberger was arraigned in a Pennsylvania court Friday morning, and that he has an extradition hearing on Jan. 3.

Since the murders in November, investigators asked for tips regarding a white sedan seen in the area at the time of the incident. Police have now seized a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra and are issuing search warrants for additional locations.

More than 19,000 tips on the case were submitted to Moscow police, and detectives have interviewed more than 300 people.

Following his arrest, DeSales University in Pennsylvania issued a statement, noting that Kohberger graduated from its school with a bachelor's degree in 2020, and with a graduate degree in 2022.