){kind=link}
Introduction
The brutal murders of four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—in November 2022 shocked the nation. Bryan Kohberger, a criminology graduate student, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to the crimes in July 2025. Yet, a lingering question remains: Did Bryan Kohberger know his victims?
This article explores the most recent findings surrounding this high-profile case, diving into evidence, social media claims, and official statements to determine whether Kohberger had any prior relationship with the victims.
Did Bryan Kohberger Know His Victims? The Evidence
Investigators and family members have presented conflicting perspectives on whether Kohberger knew any of the four students. Here’s a breakdown of the most critical findings:
Official Statements: No Confirmed Connection
At a press conference following Kohberger’s sentencing on July 23, 2025, Idaho State Police Lt. Darren Gilbertson stated:
“We have never, to this day, found a single connection between him and any of the four victims or the two surviving roommates.”
Law enforcement officials reviewed social media activity, phone records, and other digital evidence, but found no direct links. Additionally, Moscow Police Corporal Brett Payne dismissed widespread rumors that Kohberger visited the Mad Greek restaurant where Mogen and Kernodle worked.
Family Claims: Alleged Social Media Interactions
In a January 2024 interview with 48 Hours, Kaylee Goncalves’ parents—Steve and Kristi—shared that they had discovered an Instagram account they believed belonged to Kohberger. According to them, the account followed both Kaylee and Maddie and had liked multiple posts on Mogen’s profile. However:
- The account was deleted shortly after Kohberger’s arrest.
- 48 Hours could not independently verify its authenticity.
Reported Instagram DMs
According to a January 2023 People report citing an anonymous source, Kohberger allegedly sent multiple direct messages to one of the female victims in late October 2022. The messages were reportedly benign greetings like “Hey, how are you?” but went unanswered—likely ending up in the “message requests” folder.
There is:
- No confirmation that the victim ever saw the messages.
- No evidence that Kohberger followed up or expressed frustration.
Broader Social Media Investigations
Prosecutors obtained search warrants for Kohberger’s online presence across platforms like:
- Snapchat
- TikTok
These warrants also extended to the victims’ accounts. A speculative Reddit thread from March 2024 claimed forensic analysis suggested Kohberger used online aliases—such as “Bryan Slight”—to interact with the victims’ posts. While intriguing, this claim has not been verified by law enforcement.
Other Alleged Encounters
- A Dateline NBC special aired on May 9, 2025, reported that Kohberger once exchanged phone numbers with a University of Idaho grad student at a pool party in summer 2022. They reportedly discussed hiking, but the conversation never progressed.
- People magazine also claimed Kohberger visited the Mad Greek restaurant at least twice to order vegan pizza. Despite the buzz, the restaurant’s owner, Jackie Fischer, denied these claims, calling them “completely fabricated.”
Table: Evidence of Kohberger’s Connection to Victims
| Source | Claim | Verification Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho State Police | No connection between Kohberger and the victims | Confirmed official statement | Extensive analysis of social and digital data found no links |
| Goncalves Family | Kohberger followed Kaylee and Maddie on Instagram | Unverified | Account deleted post-arrest; screenshots not confirmed |
| People Magazine | Kohberger DM’d one victim in October 2022 | Unconfirmed; anonymous source | Messages were friendly and ignored; no proof of escalation |
| Reddit/ICT Forensics | Used aliases to engage with victims’ content | Speculative and unverified | Linked to his email/phone, but no conclusive tie to specific accounts |
| Dateline NBC | Met and texted another UI student in summer 2022 | Verified in interview | No link to victims; reflects some social presence |
| Mad Greek Restaurant | Visited where two victims worked | Disputed by owner | No eyewitness or surveillance confirmation |
Theories and Speculation
In the absence of a known motive, several speculative theories have emerged:
1. Fixation on Madison Mogen
Some theories suggest Kohberger may have been obsessed with Mogen, based on:
- Alleged Instagram likes and follows.
- Reports that she and Goncalves may have been targeted first.
However, no forensic or physical evidence supports a prior personal connection.
2. Serial Killer Fascination
Kohberger’s academic interests raise eyebrows:
- He studied criminology at the graduate level.
- Posted Reddit surveys asking criminals about their mindset and tactics.
- Searched infamous serial killers like Ted Bundy.
Some theorize that his crimes were a macabre academic obsession rather than a personal vendetta.
3. Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS)
A Daily Mail article tied Kohberger to online posts about VSS, a neurological condition that can cause visual hallucinations and emotional isolation. Though compelling from a psychological standpoint, no direct connection between VSS and the murders has been established.
The “Pappa Rodger” Mystery
A suspicious Facebook account named “Pappa Rodger” posted frequently in discussion groups about the Idaho murders in 2022. Some posts eerily resembled crime scene details and resembled phrasing from Kohberger’s Reddit surveys.
- The account disappeared after Kohberger’s arrest.
- No official confirmation links it to him.
- It remains one of the internet’s most debated elements of the case.
Conclusion
So—did Bryan Kohberger know his victims? Based on official statements and digital forensics, the answer remains no confirmed connection. Still, the Goncalves family and social media sleuths raise compelling questions about potential online interactions, particularly with Madison Mogen.
As the court gag order lifts and sealed documents are released, the full story may still unfold. For now, the case continues to grip the public, blurring the lines between confirmed fact and speculative theory.