Idaho Murders

Bryan Kohberger -- the alleged quadruple Idaho murderer -- could die by bullet if he's convicted ... that is, assuming a local lawmaker there can get a new bill passed into law.

Rep. Bruce Skaug, a Republican state congressman, introduced legislation last week in Idaho's House -- calling on firing squads to be reinstated as a means of execution ... but only on the condition that lethal injection chemicals are unattainable in a timely manner. In other words, if you can't shoot 'em up ... shoot 'em. That's literally the essence of the bill.

Indeed, the language spells it out clear as day -- lethal injection should be the #1 option if it's on the table, but if it's determined by Idaho's DOC that the drugs needed to put someone to death intravenously aren't within reach in a matter of 5 days after a death sentence is issued ... there should be no delay in opting for a firing squad to do the job.

Apparently, the reason this is being floated at all is because it's actually quite difficult to get a hold of the lethal injection cocktail -- in Idaho, anyway. Skaug says there've been too many people sitting on death row avoiding their due justice 'cause there's no viable way to off them under the current parameters/available resources. His solution ... do it old school.

Skaug's bill says the director of the IDOC can figure out the logistics behind how to deploy a firing squad, what kind of weapons to use and whatnot -- but he's saying they oughta be brought back. BTW, fun fact ... firing squads were technically legal in Idaho until 2009, although they weren't used there in the state in recent history. Other states have though.

The last guy to die by firing squad in the U.S. was Ronnie Lee Gardner back in 2010 out in Utah. Utah also used them in 1977, for murderer Gary Gilmore. It's rare, but it happens sometimes.

Now, as for whether this bill actually has a chance at passing ... well, we'll see. It still needs a public hearing in the Ways and Means committee before even being considered to be sent to the full House for a vote. Only then will we know if other lawmakers are into the idea.

The house in Idaho where four college students were stabbed to death is going to be torn down ... and the University of Idaho says it's an important "healing step."

The University announced Friday the infamous off-campus house in Moscow was given to the school by the former owner, and the University plans to demolish the home.

As you know ... the home was the scene of a grisly quadruple murder back in November, which saw four students -- Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves -- stabbed to death in their rooms.

The house was known as a party house before it became known as a murder house ... there were lots of parties there, with cops even responding to a big bash at the property several weeks before the killings.

The University of Idaho says demolition "is a healing step and removes the physical structure where the crime that shook our community was committed. Demolition also removes efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene."

It doesn't sound like the address will turn into a vacant lot ... the University says it's "evaluating options where students may be involved in the future development of the property."

New development in the Idaho University murder case ... it was NOT one of the surviving roommates who discovered the carnage in the house, it was a buddy of one of the victims.

Ethan Chapin's best friend is the one who discovered the lifeless bodies of Ethan and his girlfriend Xana Kernodle, laying in the same bed ... this according to NewsNation.

It has been widely reported that one of the two surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensen, stumbled upon the bodies 8 hours after the slayings and called 911 from her cell phone.

NewsNation clarified that information, saying Chapin's longtime friend used Mortensen's phone to dial 911. The news org has not disclosed the friend's identity.

This indicates the fear the survivors must have been feeling ... locked in their bedrooms for hours after the murders.

As you know, Bryan Kohberger was arrested for the quadruple murder back in December. Kohberger, a former Ph.D student at Washington State University, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

Bryan Kohberger -- the man charged with the University of Idaho student massacre -- is already getting the bizarre affection from women obsessed with alleged mass murderers.

Brittney Hislope has written a series of Facebook posts professing her love for the accused murderer of 4 college classmates, gushing that Kohberger is the “perfect man” for her.

In one post, Hislope said, “My love interest … is named Bryan and is accused of murder, and I just wish to connect with him above anyone else.”

She added, “One way to describe my feelings for him over the last week or so … is kind of like being lovesick.”

Hislope started posting her passionate letters to Kohberger January 4 ... just a few days after the former PhD criminology grad student had been arrested at his parent's home in Pennsylvania for the murders.

The single Kentucky mom, who has a 16-year-old son, pointed out she and Kohberger shared some things in common, such as their astrological signs — both are apparently Scorpios. She also claimed they have similar birth charts, making Kohberger her “divine masculine counterpart.”

In another IG post, Hislop referenced the strange love scene between Jason Patric and Jamie Gertz in the 1987 vampire movie, "The Lost Boys." She said, "Although it’s not very explicit, I’d want to be with my love interest Bryan in those ways.”

Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger grabbed a bite or 2 at a restaurant where 2 of the slain students worked, and he did so not long before the murders were committed ... according to a former employee.

The restaurant's called Mad Greek, and the ex-staffer -- who wasn't identified -- told People Kohberger visited the downtown Moscow eatery at least twice. Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, 2 of the 4 victims, worked as servers there, but it's unclear if they ever had any direct interactions with Kohberger.

The employee says there wasn't anything suspicious about Kohberger at the time, although his order stood out, which is why they remembered him -- he reportedly asked for a vegan pizza, wanting to make sure no animal products were used in it.

Kohberger also "slid into one of the girls' DMs several times," according to a different source who told People the messages simply said, "Hey, how are you?" over and over again. The person didn't say which one of the 3 female victims Kohberger messaged.

As we reported, the search warrant for Kohberger's home, obtained by TMZ, noted there was a significant amount of blood spilled in the murder house ... and police seized items with dark red and brown stains from his apartment.

Police investigating the Idaho quadruple murder say they found a "possible animal hair strand" inside alleged killer Bryan Kohberger's home, and cops think it could be a direct connect to the site of the slayings.

A search warrant for Kohberger's home, obtained by TMZ, says police seized several other notable items from the raid ... including items with dark red and brown stains.

The search warrant notes there was a significant amount of blood spilled in the murder house, with investigators saying they believe the killer would have blood evidence on their body or clothing.

Police were looking for trace evidence of blood stains in Kohberger's apartment, and the docs say there was a pillow with a "reddish/brown stain" and an item with a "collection of dark red" spotting.

The hair strand could be huge -- there was a dog in the students' home at the time of the murders, and the killer spared the pooch. According to the docs, cops went looking for hair at Kohberger's apartment, and found the possible animal hair ... as well as strands from humans.

The docs say a dog was heard barking at 4:17 AM the night of the murders ... the dog, Murphy, belonged to victim Kaylee Goncalves, and was found unharmed in her room.

Other items seized from Kohberger's place ... a computer tower, a disposable glove, mattress covers, receipts and a vacuum cleaner's dust container.

The docs say cops also searched Kohberger's office at Washington State University, where he was a graduate student studying criminology, but police didn't seize anything.

While cops say they found Kohberger's DNA on a knife sheath found inside the murder house ... the actual knife was not found in the search of Kohberger's home, or anywhere else for that matter.

New body cam video from the Idaho murder house, months before the brutal killings, shows victim Xana Kernodle talking with cops about a noise complaint -- and eerily she's talking to the officer who eventually wrote the affidavit for murder suspect Bryan Kohberger.

The early September clip, obtained Thursday by Law & Crime Network, shows police order 2 people at the house to shut off the loud music, before having a conversation with Xana outside. The officer said this was his second time at the house that night -- mentioning a similar incident hours before with one of the other victims, Maddie Mogen.

Xana, who explained she was inside just trying to sleep, was speaking to officer Brett Payne ... the same cop who ended up responding to the murder scene in November, and later filed documents for police to get an arrest warrant for Kohberger.

Worth noting it's really dark around the building, with seemingly no floodlights set up -- possibly one of the reasons why the alleged murderer could get in and out of the house undetected.

Bryan Kohberger is in no hurry to stand trial for the quadruple murder, and, not shockingly, the judge is ordering him to be held without bail until that trial.

He appeared in a Moscow, ID courtroom Thursday morning -- with apparent scratches on his face and wearing an orange jumpsuit -- as he waived his right to a speedy trial. The whole hearing was over after just a few minutes, and a preliminary hearing for the trial has been set for June 26.

Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in an off-campus rental home in Moscow, ID, on November 13. The three women lived at the house; Chapin was visiting.

Investigators had Kohberger on their radar nearly from the start ... two weeks after the homicides, police obtained several videos showing a white Hyundai Elantra cruising past the murder house several times before finally stopping at 4:04 AM.

About 20 minutes later, surveillance videos showed the car speeding away from the house. Police deduced that the Elantra had traveled about 10 miles away to Washington State University, where Kohberger was enrolled as a graduate student in criminology.

Cops then released a bulletin asking the public to be on the lookout for the Hyundai Elantra. A WSU officer spotted a vehicle matching the description parked in the driveway of Kohberger's home and ran the license plate ... turns out the car belonged to Bryan.

Police caught a few more breaks. One of the surviving victims -- who saw the killer up close during the bloody rampage -- described him as a man 5'10" or taller, not very muscular but athletically built with bushy eyebrows, wearing black clothing with a mask. Detectives obtained Kohberger's photo driver's license, which had a similar description, including bushy eyebrows.

Police pulled cell phone records, which showed Kohberger was on the move the night of the murders. He drove from the WSU campus at 2:44 AM and headed south through Pullman, Washington. His cell phone went dead for a period of time, then picked up again around 5:30 AM -- but only after the slayings. Police believe Kohberger deliberately disabled the phone to conceal his travels.

Investigators also found Kohberger's DNA on a leather sheath he allegedly left at the crime scene and matched it to his father's genetic profile through testing.

Police had retrieved the father's DNA from trash discarded at their family home in Pennsylvania. Bryan had been staying there while he was on Christmas break from school.

Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30 after an FBI SWAT team descended on the PA home. He was later charged with four counts of murder and now faces a possible death sentence if convicted. Kohberger denies any wrongdoing and says he's fighting the charges.

Kaylee Goncalves came face-to-face with a police officer three months before she and her college roommates were murdered in Idaho -- and the whole encounter was caught on video.

The University of Idaho student was captured on police body cam video walking out of the house in Moscow, ID, August 16, approaching cops. As you know, Kaylee, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were fatally stabbed inside that home on November 13.

In the video, released Wednesday by Law & Crime Network, Kaylee was straightforward and compliant with the officer, who informed her that neighbors called 911 to complain about noise at her house party.

The officer said he had nothing against "overage" people drinking at a party, but once neighbors "start calling the cops, then we have an issue." Kaylee responded, "Fair."

After some more back-and-forth, the cop told Kaylee he would let her off with a warning, but if it happened again, he would write her a $300 to $400 noise ticket.

The officer ended by telling Kaylee "don't do it again" ... "I'd hate to come back in a few hours and have to issue that." Kaylee thanked the cop and wished him a nice day.

Fast forward to Dec. 30 ... Bryan Kohberger was arrested and later charged with the murders of Kaylee and the other three victims after allegedly stalking them. Kohberger, a Washington State University grad student, has denied any wrongdoing and says he'll fight the charges.

Bryan Kohberger's white Hyundai may have been caught on video driving near the crime scene after he had allegedly slaughtered 4 University of Idaho students.

Fox News published the footage Monday showing a white sedan cruising after daylight on the morning of November 13 in the proximity of the Moscow, ID, house where Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were murdered.

Remember, police believe they were killed around 4 AM on November 13, so this video was recorded a few hours later.

In the video's background, you can clearly see the vehicle, which matches the description of Kohberger's Elantra, but it's hard to tell the make and model of the car.

Fox reporters recently reviewed the footage -- although it's not clear when they obtained it -- and found the potential evidence. The video could bolster what investigators said Kohberger's cell phone data already shows ... that he returned to the murder scene.

We already know from the police affidavit that a white Hyundai Elantra thought to be driven by Kohberger was seen passing by the students' home four times on the morning of the murders. Police say that same car was also captured on video speeding away from the area near the crime scene.

Bryan Kohberger was a chatterbox in class -- often speaking up to talk shop -- but he clammed up whenever the U. of Idaho murders were mentioned, so says one of his former peers.

Washington State University student Ben Roberts -- who was in the same graduate program with Kohberger last fall -- tells the Idaho Statesman the man prosecutors allege is a cold-blooded killer wasn't shy when it came discussing criminology theory ... that is, until 4 University of Idaho students were killed in November.

Roberts says he recalls Kohberger as incredibly engaged when it came to classroom discussions about their subject matter -- especially on forensic psychology (understanding a criminal's mindset). According to him, Kohberger would talk during every session of theirs.

However, Roberts also says he remembers Kohberger suspiciously going radio silent in the later fall months of the semester -- around the time the quadruple murder happened, which was brought up in at least 4 different classes he says they shared.

In all instances, it sounds like Kohberger didn't wanna chime in like he normally would ... something that gives Roberts, and an anonymous ex-classmate, pause now.

One other thing ... Roberts says he remembers Kohberger eager to debate and talk down to female students in his program, as opposed to being more measured and nonconfrontational with the guys. Aside from that, Roberts says he was pretty normal.

As we reported ... Kohberger has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder for the 4 Idaho deaths. He has yet to enter a plea, but his attorney has said he'll be exonerated.

The BTK serial killer says Bryan Kohberger shares some of his traits, and that one of his own attacks -- a quadruple homicide -- is eerily similar to the Idaho student slayings.

Dennis Rader -- who gave himself the moniker, "Bind, Torture, Kill," tells TMZ in a new email he believes Kohberger would lie in wait for his victims, stalking them and casing their home. All of this, BTK says, was "much like I did," referencing Kohberger's "dark mind," which he can relate to.

BTK also pointed out chilling parallels between his brutal 1974 murders of the Otero family in Kansas and the four slain University of Idaho students, whom Kohberger has been charged with fatally stabbing in an off-campus home.

"Murder four, much like the Oteros, up close and personal stabbed," BTK wrote, although he asphyxiated four Otero family members after tying them up in their Wichita house.

He went on to mention that Kohberger left DNA at the crime scene just like he did at the Otero house, leaving his semen on one victim's body. It took police years to link BTK to the crimes after advancements in DNA technology. However, Kohberger was soon connected to the Idaho homicides after his DNA was found on a knife sheath, cops said.

Lastly, BTK tells us Kohberger "may have killed by Fantasy Homicide. Which I did!" Of course, BTK was referring to his police confession that he murdered 10 people because of his sexual fantasies. Idaho detectives have not disclosed Kohberger's motive and he denies any wrongdoing.

The notorious BTK serial killer is pouring cold water on the idea -- floated by his own daughter -- that he has a link to Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger.

BTK fired off an email to TMZ from prison after we reached out to him about a recent NewsNation article ... claiming Kohberger may have communicated with him through DeSales University professor Katherine Ramsland.

Kohberger, a Washington State University grad student, had previously studied at DeSales under Ramsland, who's also a famous true crime author and penned a book about the BTK killer.

In his January 5 message to us, BTK says, "No on Kohberger all around," in response to his daughter, Kerri Rawson, telling NN reporter Brian Entin she was "pretty shocked" there was "potentially a connection to my father."

Rawson also said she thought Bryan was likely influenced by BTK since he studied under Ramsland.

On this point, BTK agreed, stating, "I had thought some one may have study me." He also gave props to the Idaho investigators for nabbing a suspect, meaning Kohberger.

BTK went on to share his personal torment about not connecting with his family. "My family don't communicate with me at all. I love them all very much and [would] be happy if one did."

As you know ... BTK (real name: Dennis Rader) killed ten people during his sexually motivated, sadomasochistic rampage in Wichita, Kansas, from 1974 to 1991. He wrote taunting letters to the media, giving himself the moniker, "Bind, Torture, Kill."

He was finally captured in 2005 and confessed to the slayings, leading to his conviction. He is currently serving ten life sentences -- one for each of his murders.

The man charged with slaughtering 4 Idaho college students may have joined online chat groups to discuss some of the facts of the brutal slayings with Internet sleuths.

Bryan Kohberger might have been the person or persons making claims about the quadruple homicide case, using the Facebook and Redditor handles "Pappa Rodger" and "InsideLooking," respectively, according to former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer.

Coffindaffer, who was tracking both accounts, says many of the allegations made by the individual(s) turned out to be factually accurate, causing her to think it could have been Bryan.

In two of the postings, the person/persons offered a correct timeline for the murders and mentioned the knife sheath left at the crime scene BEFORE police publicly released those details.

One spot-on message read: "Committed murders and exited sliding door. One knife according to corners [sic] statement. Time of murder approximately 3:20am - 3:40 am according to car fleeing scene and on camera on highway 8 approximately 3:45am. Vehicle left skid marks upon exit."

In another factual post, the user wrote: "Of the evidence released, the murder weapon has been consistent as a large fixed blade knife. This leads me to believe they found the sheath." Other members in the chat group were so alarmed they accused the person of talking "like a serial killer."

Bryan Kohberger seemed to try to do everything he could in order to prevent investigators from obtaining his DNA -- wearing gloves and even hiding his trash in a neighbor's bin -- according to a new report.

A law enforcement source tells CNN detectives kept tabs on Kohberger while at his parent's Pennsylvania home in the days leading up to his arrest. The source claims Kohberger, "cleaned his car, inside and outside, not missing an inch."

Not only that, the source also tells CNN Kohberger was observed wearing surgical gloves around the home on more than one occasion ... and seen leaving the family home around 4 AM one morning to place trash bags in a neighbor's bin.

Of course, if the report is true, it would appear Kohberger had a hunch authorities were onto him and possibly trying to get his DNA.

As we reported, cops say Kohberger's phone pinged near the Idaho murder house at least 12 times before the 4 college kids were stabbed to death.

In chilling court docs, obtained by TMZ, one of the roommates told investigators she heard cries and a male voice say "It's ok, I'm going to help you" around 4 AM coming from victim Xana Kernodle's room the morning of the killings. She then says she observed a male, 5'10 or taller, dressed in black with a mask on walk past her bedroom.

The manufacturer of the knife Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger allegedly used to butcher 4 students says cops reached out to them for info ... but the company has no records tying him to any purchase.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, cops found a sheath for a KA-BAR knife at the murder house, with Kohberger's DNA on it. KA-BAR sells both to retailers and directly to consumers.

KA-BAR Director of Sales and Marketing Joseph Bradley tells TMZ ... Moscow police and other law enforcement agencies involved in the murder case contacted the company, specifically asking about KA-BAR knives and sheaths.

The company says law enforcement made the first contact after the Nov. 13 quadruple murder and asked KA-BAR to identify the sheath ... and KA-BAR confirmed it was one of theirs.

KA-BAR says they don't have any records of someone using the name Bryan Kohberger to purchase a knife sheath or any other products directly from them.

We're told the KA-BAR knife that would fit the sheath found at the crime scene is a 7-inch utility knife, which is traditionally used as a tool. The company says it's been making the knife since World War II, and it can be used for hunting and small tasks around a campsite ... like chopping firewood or cutting wire and rope.