Idaho murders: Suspect’s DNA found on knife left at crime scene 

The suspect in the gruesome murder of four students from the University of Idaho was identified after his DNA was found on a knife sheath left at the crime scene, authorities revealed on Thursday. 

Bryan Kohberger, a criminology graduate student from Washington State University, was arrested on Friday almost seven weeks after Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were found stabbed to death in their off-campus home on November 13.

Paperwork revealing the details of the case and how police came to suspect Kohberger were released after he made his first appearance in court. 

Court documents describe how police officers found a leather knife sheath in one of the rooms where two victims were discovered, according to court documents. 

“I later noticed what appeared to be a tan leather knife sheath laying on the bed next to Mogen’s right side,” officer Brett Payne wrote in the affidavit, adding the sheath had “Ka-Bar,” “USMC” and “the United States Marine Corps eagle globe and anchor insignia.”

“The Idaho state lab later located a single source of male DNA (suspect Profile) left on the button snap of the knife sheath.”

Additionally, police used surveillance footage and cell phone data to place Kohner at the crime scene on the day of the murders. Camera footage near the house showed a white sedan driving by the house shortly before the murders took place. The car was ultimately tied to Kohberger a month after the killings. 

Kohberger, 28, faces four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. during his first court hearing, he did not enter a plea and is being held without bail.