Newly Released Court Documents Unveil Compelling DNA Evidence Implicating Kohberger

Prosecutors have revealed that DNA found on a knife sheath at the scene of a multiple murder case in Idaho matches the DNA of suspect Bryan Kohberger. According to a court filing on June 16th, the STR profile, a commonly used DNA profiling method, indicates that it is “at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be seen if (the) Defendant is the source than if an unrelated individual randomly selected from the general population is the source.” This incredibly high statistical match positions Kohberger as the prime suspect in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students.

Court documents state that the knife sheath was discovered near the bodies of Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21. Law enforcement authorities were led to Kohberger through an investigation that involved building family trees of his genetic relatives using publicly available genealogy sites. The DNA found on the knife sheath was initially compared to DNA retrieved from items taken from the trash outside Kohberger’s family home in Pennsylvania. Subsequently, investigators obtained a DNA swab from the suspect’s cheek after his arrest.

In order to protect the privacy of innocent relatives and maintain the integrity of the investigation, the prosecution has requested that certain information related to the search be blocked from disclosure to defense lawyers. This information includes the names and personal information of the genetic relatives on the family tree, as well as the names of the genetic genealogy services used. Kohberger, who has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, is currently being held without bail and his trial is scheduled to begin on October 2. (Read more about Bryan Kohberger’s story.)