Silke Jasso
New details about the Idaho murders have emerged, with sources saying Dylan Mortensen, 21, one of the surviving roommates, believed the sounds of her the four students being murdered were just from noisy partying. She allegedly yelled out for them to be quiet, thinking the commotion was just part of the party.
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Around 4 am she reportedly yelled, ““Calm down, you’re being loud!” and “I’m trying to sleep!,” quickly locking her bedroom door. She later heard additional loud noises and opened her door again, where she reportedly encountered the accused killer, Bryan Kohberger. She allegedly told police she believed he was simply another party-goer. It is unclear if Mortensen fainted after this encounter.
Why Didn’t Surviving Roommate Call 911 Immediately?
In another report, Mortensen told the police she had spotted a man dressed in black clothing and wearing a mask walking past her and towards the rear exit of the house shortly after 4 a.m. on November 13th. The police weren’t notified until eight hours later. It is believed the four students were killed between 4 and 4:25 a.m.
Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested in December at his parents’ home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania and charged with the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. At the time of their deaths, two other roommates, Mortensen and Bethany Funke, 21, were present in the home.
The reason why the two surviving roommates took eight hours to call the police is still unclear, but former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer believes that Mortensen may have been frozen with fear after encountering the killer.
Coffindaffer suggested the 21-year-old may have “passed out” due to fear or stress after coming face to face with the suspect.
“Let’s talk DM: -21 -Late -Possibly under the influence -Face to Face with stranger in black feet away -Froze due to Fear -Locked herself in BR -I believe DM passed out from trauma/fear/stress -To think you could be killed is gripping; I know #idahosuspect,” she tweeted on Jan. 6.
Jennifer Coffindaffer on Twitter
Let's talk DM:
— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) January 6, 2023
-21
-Late
-Possibly under the influence
-Face to Face with stranger in black feet away
-Froze due to Fear
-Locked herself in BR
-I believe DM passed out from trauma/fear/stress
-To think you could be killed is gripping; I know#idahosuspecthttps://t.co/uIWPFWnVcx
Coffindaffer went on to share an article from Medical News Today that explains the “fight, flight, or freeze” response and its purpose of keeping people safe by preparing them to face, escape, or hide from danger. According to the article, while a person in a state of fear may be unable to take action, they are still very highly alert. Another possible reaction is tonic immobility or “flop,” which can result in complete physical or mental unresponsiveness, it can also involve fainting.
An Idaho law enforcement source reportedly told The New York Post that the delay in calling authorities is still a mystery to investigators, who were unsure if it was due to intoxication or fear.
