“Idaho Justice”: 20/20 Reports September 5 2025

ABC’s 20/20 returns with a powerful two-hour special, Idaho Justice, airing Friday, September 5, 2025. This latest installment, led by Kayna Whitworth, explores the shocking 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students and follows the dramatic turn of events that led to a guilty plea by suspect Bryan Kohberger. With new interviews, case files, and emotional testimony, the special offers an unflinching look at a case that gripped the nation.

The Night of the Killings

In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, four students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were brutally murdered in a rental home near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow. The scene described by responding officers was one of horror and chaos, with clear signs of a struggle. Officers found blood smeared across walls, furniture, and floors. All four victims suffered extensive stab wounds; Xana Kernodle had more than 50, many of them defensive.

Two other roommates, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, survived. Mortensen described seeing a masked man in the house before retreating in fear. The two survivors, initially confused and groggy, did not immediately call 911. When one of their friends arrived hours later and discovered the gruesome scene, a call for help was finally made.

The Investigation Unfolds

For weeks, there were no arrests. Rumors swirled. Authorities eventually focused on Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old PhD criminology student at nearby Washington State University. A pivotal piece of evidence was a knife sheath found at the scene, which contained DNA later matched through forensic genealogy using Kohberger’s father’s DNA from family trash.

Surveillance also placed a white Hyundai Elantra—matching Kohberger’s car—at the scene during the time of the murders. Cell phone data, search histories, and surveillance footage filled in additional gaps. Investigators later learned Kohberger had searched disturbing content related to crime and violence, including searches about the murders themselves.

Kohberger’s Arrest and Legal Strategy

Kohberger was arrested at his family’s home in Pennsylvania on December 30, 2022. His initial response during interrogation was evasive. He expressed concern about his parents and his dog, but clammed up once detectives referenced the homicides. He quickly requested legal counsel.

Initially, Kohberger pleaded not guilty, and the case appeared headed to trial. However, in July 2025, in a sudden reversal, he accepted a plea deal. In exchange for avoiding the death penalty, he pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. He was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, along with additional fines and penalties.

Grief, Trauma, and the Families’ Response

The sentencing hearing was marked by emotional victim impact statements. Kaylee Goncalves’ sister, Alivea, confronted Kohberger, calling him a sociopath and predator. Madison Mogen’s parents described their shattered world and the painful emptiness left behind. Xana Kernodle’s stepfather denounced Kohberger as evil. Ethan Chapin’s family chose not to attend, though their grief has been shared in earlier public comments.

Survivors Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke also shared the lasting psychological trauma they endured. Mortensen recounted vivid fear, sleep disruption, and ongoing panic attacks. Funke spoke of survivor’s guilt, questioning why she lived when her friends did not.

New Evidence and Disturbing Insights

Following Kohberger’s guilty plea, more than 300 documents were unsealed. The details were chilling. Kohberger had injuries that resembled defensive scratches around the time of the murders. A Tinder match recalled him asking disturbing questions about the worst way to die, referencing a “Ka-Bar” knife—the same kind of weapon believed to have been used.

Digital evidence painted a troubling picture. A selfie taken by Kohberger the morning after the murders appeared to be a trophy. His search history included queries about serial killers and details of the Idaho murders. A student from one of his classes even claimed to see photos of herself and her friends on Kohberger’s phone, suggesting he may have stalked multiple individuals.

Motive and Unanswered Questions

Despite the guilty plea, no clear motive has been established. Investigators found no known connection between Kohberger and the victims. There was no evidence he had a violent past or criminal record. Psychological testing conducted on Kohberger remains sealed, but prosecutors said the results did not indicate legal insanity.

Prosecutor Bill Thompson speculated that Kohberger may have initially targeted fewer victims, but panicked and fled after encountering Mortensen. Kohberger left the scene without harming the two surviving roommates, despite apparently seeing one of them face to face. Why he committed the crime and why he chose that house remain unanswered.

A Community Forever Changed

The murders left an indelible scar on the Moscow community and the University of Idaho. The once quiet college town was thrust into the national spotlight, its residents shaken and mourning. Candlelight vigils, scholarship funds, and permanent memorials now serve as tributes to the lives lost.

For the victims’ families, the pain is enduring. Though the plea deal brought legal closure, it did not bring peace. As Judge Steven Hippler said during sentencing, there is no rationale that can explain the horror Kohberger inflicted. The only certainty is that the victims’ memories will continue to be honored.

Idaho Justice offers not just a recounting of a crime, but a portrait of loss, resilience, and the search for justice in the face of senseless violence.