Newly unsealed court documents reveal that medical and mental health records for Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the University of Idaho quadruple homicide, and his family have been provided to the prosecution. While the content remains confidential, Ada County Judge Steven Hippler lifted the seal on the protective order, stating there was no justification for withholding this information from the public. The order, dated January 9th, restricts the sharing of these records beyond the prosecution team.
Boise defense attorney Edwina Elcox, who has been closely monitoring the case, finds the specific mention of "mental health records" significant, suggesting a strategic move by the defense. Since Idaho lacks an insanity defense, Elcox speculates that the records may be presented as mitigating factors. The submission of these records occurred nearly two months after Judge Hippler's ruling that Kohberger could face the death penalty if found guilty.
John Kelly, a criminal profiler, suggests Kohberger's reported history of heroin use could be linked to past bullying and social isolation, potentially contributing to anxiety and depression. Former classmates have described Kohberger as intelligent but socially awkward and a target of bullying during his childhood. Reports indicate he was often ridiculed, particularly by girls, and subjected to physical harassment. He reportedly underwent a significant weight loss in high school through boxing and running, later referencing this transformation in a job application for a school security position in 2015.
Kohberger's employment at the school ended in June 2021 with his resignation, acknowledging his right to a hearing if he chose not to resign. School officials have withheld further details regarding his disciplinary record, citing confidentiality. However, available records reveal he was placed on unpaid leave for at least a day in February 2021 due to "expired clearance."
Accounts of Kohberger's awkward social interactions persist into his time as a Ph.D. student at Washington State University. A woman claiming to have gone on a date with him through Tinder recounted feigning illness to end the date, later receiving a text from him commenting on her "birthing hips."
Kohberger faces charges for the murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in November 2022. He was apprehended at his parents' residence in Pennsylvania and could receive the death penalty if convicted. Investigators reportedly linked Kohberger to the crime scene through DNA evidence found on a knife sheath discovered at the scene.
