The probable cause affidavit was released Thursday after Bryan Christopher Kohberger’s initial hearing at the Latah County Court, which provided a detailed description of the investigation into the Moscow homicides of four University of Idaho students.

Law enforcement was able to identify Kohberger as a suspect through video surveillance and DNA analysis. 

There was video footage obtained by law enforcement of the white Hyundai Elantra the night of the murders, which was owned by the suspect, the affidavit said.  

The Idaho State Lab found a source of male DNA on a leather knife sheath left behind in Madison Mogen’s bedroom where she and Kaylee Goncalves were found deceased with stab wounds according to the affidavit. 

One of the surviving roommates stated that she heard a commotion from the upstairs bedrooms between 4 a.m. and 4:17 a.m. on the morning of the homicides, according to the affidavit.

One of the roommates, referred to as “D.M.,” was awoken by what she thought sounded like Kaylee Goncalves, playing with her dog. D.M. then heard who she thought was Goncalves say “there’s someone there,” which records indicate could have been Xana Kernodle using TikTok at about 4:12 a.m. 

She stated that she opened her door when she heard crying from what she thought was Xana’s room with a male voice saying something like, “it’s ok, I’m going to help you,” according to the affidavit. 

She also saw “a figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the person’s mouth and nose walking towards her,” according to the affidavit. 

The figure then walked past her as she stood in a “frozen shock phase” and used the back sliding door to exit the home, the affidavit said.

Law enforcement conducted a “video canvass,” the collection of surveillance videos from the area, which helped them track the movements of the white Hyundai Elantra the night of the murders, according to the affidavit. 

The affidavit revealed that police were able to use surveillance and camera cellular cover in Moscow and Pullman to track the suspect’s movements not only from the morning of Nov. 13 and the possible route he took back to Pullman but in the months leading up to the homicides as well. 

Law enforcement gained access to WSU’s campus footage and discovered a vehicle matching the description of the Elantra on Nov. 13 on about five cameras. WSU Police Officer Daniel Tiengo made inquiries about vehicles at WSU and discovered Kohberger’s Hyundai Elantra. 

Law enforcement reviewed Kohberger’s driver’s license and discovered his physical description matched what the roommate said when she witnessed him the night of the homicides. 

Phone records show that Kohberger’s phone was in the area of the King Road residence where the murders took place, at least 12 times before the murders, all of these instances except for one occurred in the late evenings and early mornings, according to the affidavit. 

Records found by law enforcement indicated that in fall 2022, Kohberger applied for an internship with the Pullman Police Department. 

There is also a Reddit survey found online that asked participants to provide information to “understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision making when committing a crime.” This survey was posted by Kohberger. 

A status hearing for Kohberger is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 12, according to an article from Krem 2.

The affidavit and other court documents relating to the case are available here.