Silke Jasso
Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of stabbing to death four University of Idaho students back in November 2022, allegedly interviewed for a job at the Pullman Washington Police Department several months leading up to the slayings.
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On April 12, 2022, in an email correspondence that was obtained by the New York Times, Kohberger sent a note to police Chief Gary Jenkins with the subject line, “Thank You” after his interview for a graduate research assistant position.
“Chief Jenkins, It was a great pleasure to meet with you today and share my thoughts and excitement regarding the research assistantship for public safety,” Kohberger wrote. “I look forward to hearing from you.”
Minutes later, the Chief responded writing, “great to meet and talk with you as well.” According to the job description, some of the duties of a graduate research assistant include analyzing and organizing data, working collaboratively with the agency, producing research briefs, and providing assistance and supervision to undergraduate research assistants.
Bryan Kohberger Interviewed for Police Job Prior to Killings
At the time, the suspect was finishing his Master’s degree program at Desales University in Pennsylvania. He went on to move to Pullman Washington, where he entered a criminology and criminal justice PhD program in August 2022 at Washington State University.
Sometime after the interview, which was in April 2022, Jenkins left the Pullman Police Department to become the Police Chief at Washington State University. It is still unclear if Kohberger was chosen for the position or not.
The City of Pullman released a statement to PEOPLE, saying, “We are cooperating with law enforcement and honoring the non-dissemination order issued by Latah County District Court, and as such, the City of Pullman cannot comment on Mr. Kohberger.”
Kohberger is being accused of stabbing to death Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Kayle Goncalves, 21 in an off-campus residence located in Moscow Idaho on November 13th. The three girls lived together at the home where the murders took place with two other roommates. Chapman was staying the night with Kernodle, his girlfriend.
Kohberger was arrested on December 30, seven weeks after the murders occurred. According to a probable cause affidavit, the suspect was linked to the crime scene by DNA evidence that was found on a knife sheath that was left behind. Video surveillance and cell phone pings also contribute to his arrest. One of the surviving roommates also saw a man that was leaving the crime scene who she described as wearing black clothes and a mask, and as “5’10” or taller, male, not very muscular, but athletically built with bushy eyebrows.”
What Evidence Did They Find?
At the time of the tragedy, the suspect was living in an on-campus apartment in Pullman, which is less than 10 miles from the home where the students lived.
According to a recently unsealed search warrant, several items were taken from his apartment shortly after his arrest including one disposable black glove, a dust container vacuum, receipts, possible hair strands, one Fire TV stick, one computer tower, one possible animal hair strand, two pieces of incase pillow with a reddish/brown stain, an item with a dark red spot, and mattress covers.
DNA results from these items haven’t yet been released due to a gag order, which limits information available to the public regarding the case. Kohberger is due back in court on June 26th, 2022 after waiving his right to a speedy preliminary hearing. He is currently being held without Bill and hasn’t entered a plea to the charges against him.
