A federal court has set a trial date for the lawsuit against WSU filed by families of the victims of Bryan Kohberger.
The trial will begin Sept. 13, 2027, and will focus on the plaintiff’s claim that WSU failed to protect the community from foreseeable harm after becoming aware of Kohberger’s predatory behavior.
Kohberger, a former Ph.D. student at Washington State University, was also employed by WSU as a teaching assistant at the time of the quadruple homicide. Bizarrely, Kohberger was pursuing a doctorate in criminal justice and criminology, with research focusing on offender decision-making and sexual burglary.
Whereas some notorious murderers, such as Ted Bundy, were widely known as charming and charismatic, Kohberger was not one of those people. Those familiar with Kohberger, including faculty and students he worked with as a teaching assistant, have described Kohberger as creepy, intense and deeply unsettling.
Multiple accounts detailed specific predatory behavior, with one student even reporting Kohberger to the university for repeatedly stalking and harassing her after class. Kohberger’s behavior was so alarming that faculty even expressed concern over awarding him a Ph.D. and questioned whether they should revoke his funding.
After years of denying any involvement in the November 2022 murders of the four University of Idaho students, Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four counts of first-degree murder, avoiding the death penalty in exchange for his guilty plea. He was later sentenced to four consecutive life sentences.
The lawsuit alleges WSU repeatedly failed to investigate and take action against Kohberger under university and federal policies, including internal safety and conduct codes and the federal Title IX statute.
Now, families of the victims are seeking transparency and accountability from WSU.
As the case remains pending, WSU said it will continue to remember the victims and their families, but would not otherwise comment on ongoing legal matters.
“As the case moves forward, we continue to remember Ethan, Kaylee, Madison and Xana, and also the families, friends and community members whose lives were affected by this tragedy,” said Pam Scott, vice president of system communications and strategy. “WSU will not comment on ongoing legal matters.”
Editor’s note: this story was updated to include a response from WSU.
