20/20 Podcast: Idaho Justice

ABC News | September 6, 2025

Overview

This gripping episode of ABC’s 20/20 explores the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Zanna Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—and the investigation that captured their killer, Bryan Kohberger. Through survivor testimonies, law enforcement interviews, and exclusive details, the episode delivers a comprehensive view of the crime, the victims' lives, the perpetrator's background, and the justice process, culminating in the emotional courtroom closure for victims’ families.

Sections & Key Discussion Points

I. The Crime and Initial Discoveries

• Police Response & Community Shock

  • Bodycam footage and emotional 911 calls (01:02–05:27) plunge listeners into the frantic scenes as police respond to a student house on King Road.
  • “As soon as you get there, you know something's wrong.” —Friend on scene, (02:14)
  • Early media reports and community disbelief at the quadruple homicide (01:20–01:27).

• Survivor Account

  • Dylan, a surviving roommate, describes seeing a masked intruder:
    • “I'm almost positive he was wearing a full black outfit and he had this mask that was just over his... forehead and over his mouth.” —Dylan, (01:59–02:09; 57:06–57:11)

• Victim and Friend Perspectives

  • Heartbreaking stories: friends calling victims’ phones, futilely hoping for an answer (05:27–05:56).

II. Life in Moscow, Idaho & The Victims

• College Life & Friendships

  • Insight into the victims’ personalities:

    • Zanna, energetic and welcoming, “DJ Zan,” pizza mishaps, love for EDM, and contagious joy (09:31–11:24).
    • Ethan Chapin, a triplet, outgoing; his bond with Zanna and his family is cherished (12:21–14:18).

  • Kaylee & Maddie’s lifelong friendship—with stories from families and teachers underlining their inseparability and vibrant personalities (25:07–29:20).

  • The victims are remembered for their “energy,” “contagious smiles,” and “love for life” (11:14–13:58).

III. Bryan Kohberger—The Perpetrator

• Background & Personal Struggles

  • Raised in the Poconos, Pennsylvania. Childhood bullying, weight loss transformation, and struggles with heroin addiction are examined (17:45–21:13).
  • His family’s support: “His parents were extremely involved in his life... he spoke daily with them.” (18:17–18:29)
  • Early criminal record includes theft to fuel drug addiction and close family involvement (20:48–22:32).

• Education & Personality

  • Academic progression: average student, growing interest in criminology, eventually pursuing a PhD at Washington State University (22:45–23:31).
  • Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and OCD, which shaped his social isolation (23:40–24:07).

• Disturbing Interests

  • Enthralled by notorious serial killers: “His eyes really opened up when he's talking about Jeffrey Dahmer or BTK or Ted Bundy.” (16:50, 32:45)
  • Conducted research on criminal psychology, including a Reddit survey asking criminals about their thoughts and decisions (33:11–33:39).

• On Campus in Pullman

  • Noted for awkwardness and lack of social skills: “He was a loner. No friends, no one, really, except for his parents.” (36:39–37:04)
  • Colleagues and students raise concerns about his disrespect and odd, sometimes aggressive behavior towards women (38:01–38:37).

IV. The Night of the Murders

• Timeline & Actions (43:32–50:50)

  • November 12-13, 2022: Housemates and friends enjoy Moscow’s social scene, taking photos, sharing meals, and celebrating the last home football game (43:32–44:46).
  • Around 4:10am, investigators believe Bryan Kohberger enters the house:
    • Stabbing begins upstairs with Kaylee and Maddie, progresses to Zanna and Ethan's room after Zanna likely hears the commotion.
    • “Stabbing is close, personal, long term, violent action. You've got to be committed to do a homicide.” —Investigator, (49:28)
    • Zanna displays “defensive wounds all over herself. She Fought like hell.” —(50:22)
    • Surveillance captures suspicious sounds: a thud, whimper, and barking dog at 4:17am (50:50–51:13).

• Crucial Mistake & Escape

  • Kohberger encounters Dylan in the hallway but leaves her alive; she later struggles with the reality of what she witnessed (51:23–53:10).

V. Investigation & Breakthrough

• Initial Investigation

  • Law enforcement overwhelmed: cross-agency involvement, immense public scrutiny, and digital sleuths converging on Moscow (06:06–07:13).
  • “You don't feel safe... after the first couple of weeks, we're like, this guy's gonna get away with this.” —Student, (07:16–07:31)

• Key Evidence

  • The knife sheath: “The comforter's over. The girls take the comforter off. Lo and behold, there's a knife sheath laying right there. That was definitely the first aha moment.” —Investigator, (61:07–61:23)
  • Surveillance and digital forensics:
    • White Hyundai Elantra spotted on cameras, narrowed down from 25,000 vehicles (62:38–63:28).
    • Kohberger’s phone records and meticulously tracked movements pre- and post-crime (34:10–34:43).

• Genetic Genealogy

  • Sophisticated DNA analysis at Othram labs pinpoints a family in Pennsylvania, matching the profile to Kohberger through familial trash DNA collection (64:51–67:44).
    • “I got a call and I was asked what is the fastest that we could produce a result.” —Othram scientist, (64:38)
    • “Found an item in the trash that had male DNA that comes back and says, we have DNA in this trash that is the father of the DNA left on the knife sheath.” (67:16–67:41)

VI. Arrest & Prosecution

• The Arrest

  • Surveillance, DNA match, and Kohberger’s apprehension in Pennsylvania (68:34–69:05).
  • Family disbelief: “Do you think? ...there's no way Brian could do this. No way, Brian, nobody can comprehend that their child is capable of something like this.” (69:17–69:57)
  • Kohberger shocked at media attention—surprised by magnitude (70:01).

• Legal Proceedings

  • Facing four first-degree murder charges and one burglary (69:05).
  • Prosecutors pursue, and ultimately relinquish, the death penalty in a plea deal. Kohberger pleads guilty, waives appeal, and is sentenced to four life sentences plus ten years for burglary (74:03–80:35).

VII. Aftermath, Courtroom Victories, and Family Reflections

• Victim Impact Statements

  • Emotional statements from surviving roommates:
    • “I wish more than anything I could... Hug them one last time... I will keep living for them as long as I am lucky enough to still be here.” —Bethany Funk (75:59–76:07)
    • “He may have taken so much from me, but he will never get to take my voice.” —Dylan Mortenson (76:52)
  • Kaylee’s sister, Olivia, delivers a powerful statement:
    • “The truth is, the scariest part about you is how painfully average you turned out to be.” (77:30)

• Legacy & Healing

  • Families seek meaning, some working to advance forensic science.
  • “If we can make a positive impact for the future, on some level, it's important.” —Chapins, (79:49)
  • Memorial garden established for the four victims as new students return to campus (80:28).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “As soon as you get there, you know something's wrong.” —Friend on scene, (02:14)
• “Stabbing is close, personal, long term, violent action. You've got to be committed to do a homicide.” —Investigator, (49:28)
• “She Fought like hell.” —On Zanna, (50:22)
• “He may have taken so much from me, but he will never get to take my voice.” —Dylan Mortenson, (76:52)
• “The truth is, the scariest part about you is how painfully average you turned out to be.” —Olivia Goncalves, (77:30)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Police Respond and Discovery: 00:00–05:27
• Victim Backgrounds and Friendships: 09:31–14:35
• Kohberger’s Background: 17:45–24:07
• Night of the Murders: 43:32–53:10
• Investigation and DNA Breakthrough: 61:07–67:44
• Arrest and Prosecution: 68:34–74:03
• Victim Impact Statements and Closure: 75:01–80:28

Tone

Throughout this episode, the tone is reflective, empathetic, and investigative. Victims are honored through joyful and loving recollections by friends and family, while the investigation is described in sober, methodical detail. Law enforcement voices and surviving roommates contribute raw, painful emotion. The courtroom finale is cathartic but laced with lingering trauma and resolve.

This episode offers a thorough, empathetic account that underscores not only the horrors of the crime but also the humanity and hope for justice that persists among those left behind.