Criminology grad arrested in stabbing of four Idaho university students

A booking photo of Bryan Kohberger, 28, was is being held for extradition in a criminal homicide investigation in the killings of four University of Idaho students, based on an active arrest warrant for first degree murder issued by the Moscow Police Department and Latah County Prosecutor's Office. PHOTO BY MONROE COUNTY (PA.) CORRECTIONAL FACILITY VIA AP

DNA Evidence Played Key Role in Identifying Bryan Kohberger as Murder Suspect

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A 28-year-old criminal justice student was arrested Friday in eastern Pennsylvania as a suspect in the mysterious deaths of four University of Idaho students last month, authorities said.

DNA evidence played a key role in identifying Bryan Christopher Kohberger as a murder suspect and police were able to match his DNA to genetic material found during the investigation, a police officer said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss publicly the details of the ongoing investigation.

The students — Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin — were stabbed to death in an apartment near the Moscow, Idaho, campus in the early hours of Nov. 13.

Moscow Police Chief James Fry said Kohberger was attending Washington State University, just a few miles from Moscow.

Investigators are still looking for the gun, Fry said at a news conference. He was emotional as he announced the arrest and called the victim by name.

The killings initially confused law enforcement and rocked the small farming community of about 25,000 people, who had gone murder-free for five years. But clues started pouring in after law enforcement asked the public's help in locating a white Hyundai Elantra that had been near his home at the time of the murders.

In addition to the DNA evidence, authorities also learned that Kohberger had a white Hyundai Elantra, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Federal investigators have been monitoring Kohberger for the past several days and arrested him early Friday morning at a residence in Chestnuthill Township, Pennsylvania.

Federal and state investigators are now combing through his background, financial records and electronic communications while trying to establish a motive and build a case, the official said. Investigators are also interviewing people who knew Koberg, including from Washington State University, the official said.

Source:

-National Post

-The Associated Press

Marc Levy, Rebecca Boone and Mike Balsamo