Authorities investigated Bryan Kohberger after a masked knife attack at a sorority house in Pullman, Washington. The incident occurred on October 10, 2021, nearly eight months before Kohberger moved to Washington. On that night, a 20-year-old student woke to find a masked man wielding a knife entering her bedroom.
The young woman reacted quickly, kicking the intruder in the stomach. The attacker then fled without speaking. Her roommate, who heard someone running upstairs, called police shortly after the confrontation.
Police initially developed several leads. However, all potential suspects had alibis, and the case eventually went cold. Then, more than a year later, authorities revisited the investigation. On January 10, 2023, Sergeant Christopher Engle examined Kohberger as a possible suspect.
The Pullman incident shared striking similarities with the murders Kohberger later committed in Moscow, Idaho. Both attacks targeted young women in off-campus housing. In both cases, the intruder wore black clothing, a ski mask, and carried a knife. Both perpetrators entered through unlocked back doors.
Despite these connections, police ended the Pullman investigation just nine days later. The Graduate Program Coordinator informed Sgt. Engle that Kohberger did not attend any school events that weekend. Authorities did not explore the possibility of a non-sanctioned visit. At the time, Kohberger was enrolled at DeSales University in Pennsylvania.
Kohberger completed his graduate studies at DeSales in May 2022. By July, he had relocated to Pullman, Washington, to begin doctoral studies. Months later, he was arrested for the murders of four University of Idaho students.
Currently, Kohberger serves four life sentences for the killings of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. The Pullman masked knife attack remains a chilling precursor to his later crimes. Investigators continue reviewing connections between these incidents, noting the alarming similarities.
This case highlights how early warning signs, like the masked knife attack, could have informed authorities before the Idaho murders. The similarities raise questions about the investigation process and missed opportunities.
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