MONROE COUNTY, Pennsylvania — Bryan Kohberger, accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November, will soon return to Idaho after formally waiving his extradition in a Pennsylvania courtroom Tuesday.
This gives authorities the ability to transport Kohberger back to Idaho where he will formally be arraigned on four first-degree murder charges for the deaths of Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves on November 13th. He will also be charged with felony burglary, accused of entering the off-campus home near the University of Idaho with the intent to commit murder.
The probable cause affidavit in the case, outlining the evidence that lead to an arrest, will be unsealed once Kohberger appears in Idaho court. The details currently remain a mystery, even to the defendant.
"I definitely believe that one of the main reasons the defendant wanted to waive extradition and hurry his return back to Idaho was the 'need to know' what was in those documents," Monroe County First Assistant District Attorney Michael Mancuso said.
Pennsylvania authorities hosted a press conference at 2:30 p.m. MST following the court appearance, where they said transport logistics are still being sorted out. Legally, Kohberger has 10 days to return to Idaho. Authorities said it is "unlikely" he'd return as soon as Tuesday evening.
"We would like to do it as soon as possible," Major Christopher Paris with the Pennsylvania State Police said. "Arrangements are currently being made to deliver Kohberger back to Idaho where he can have continued due process and face these charges."
Authorities did not have a definitive answer when asked what agency would be handling Kohberger's transportation, or whether he'd be flown privately or commercially.
Kohberger was taken into custody early Friday morning at his parents' home, after driving cross-country with his father from Pullman, Washington, to Chestnut Hill Township in Pennsylvania where he was spending his winter break with family. Kohberger was studying Criminology at Washington State University, just miles away from Moscow.
Authorities in Pennsylvania were contacted by the FBI to assist with surveilling the suspect several days before his arrest. Ultimately, a tactical team took Kohberger into custody in the early morning hours of Friday, December 30.
"From their perspective, we essentially tasked [the tactical team] to go out and serve an arrest warrant for someone accused of a quadruple murder," Major Paris explained. He said additional probable cause is needed in the state of Pennsylvania to serve a warrant in the darkness of night.
At Tuesday's press conference, authorities said Kohberger's parents were also present at the home when authorities made entry, breaking several windows as part of the process.
"Mr. Kohberger was taken into custody without incident," Paris said. "The scene was turned over to the FBI Evidence Response team for processing. Mr. Kohberger was then turned over to the Monroe County prison where he has remained in their custody since."
Kohberger's family expressed sympathy for the families of the victims but also vowed to support him and promote "his presumption of innocence.”
His parents, Michael and Maryann, and his two older sisters, Amanda and Melissa, said in a statement released Sunday by his attorney that they “care deeply for the four families who have lost their precious children. There are no words that can adequately express the sadness we feel, and we pray each day for them.”
RELATED: Family of Idaho murder suspect expresses support, sympathy
Moscow Police hosted a press conference Friday afternoon where they identified the 28-year-old man as a suspect. Moscow Police Chief James Fry said investigators did locate a Hyundai Elantra at the scene in Pennsylvania, but investigators continue searching for the murder weapon.
We've also learned in recent days that investigators used genealogical DNA from public databases to narrow in on Kohberger. The Monroe County District Attorney's Office issued three search warrants during the investigation for Kohberger's car, his parents' home, and Kohberger himself - including photographs and DNA.
World-renowned DNA expert Greg Hampikian with the Idaho Innocence Project says it's likely investigators were waiting to collect DNA left behind by Kohberger to compare to DNA left at the crime scene.
"They treat it just like a sample you would take from your mouth and say 'I want to know who my family is,' except we say 'who is the family of this DNA evidence?'" Hampikian said. "And then they have to guess. They work with genealogists to see who are all the people in this family lineage? Who's alive? Who could have been in the area at the time? Maybe they select by gender - we want only males or only females, and then they try to get a sample from anybody they think is a suspect."
Hampikian says it's quite common for investigators to use "discarded DNA" while trailing a suspect to make a match on something like a soda can or restaurant cup left behind by a suspect. While DNA is helpful in telling "who" it belongs to, Hampikian stresses it does not explain how it got there. That's up to investigators to piece together using other evidence.
Hampikian says laws vary by state regarding what is considered discarded DNA, who can take it, and what it can be used for.
Authorities in Pennsylvania said they're prepared to assist with the investigation as it continues.
Kohberger's public defender previously said his client looks forward to being exonerated. Police have not yet shared a motive for the crime, or how Kohberger is connected to the victims.
The Corner Club in Moscow, where victims Kaylee Goncalvez and Madison Mogen were the night of the murders, say the suspect was not - and has not - been at the bar, urging people to stop contacting them about Kohberger.
Suspect was not and has not been here. No one was removed from the bar the evening of the incident. Stop calling us.
— Corner Club (@cornerclub) January 3, 2023
