Summary of "Idaho Dateline BOMBSHELL: Explosive New Info in the Kohberger Case"
Podcast: Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
Host: Ashleigh Banfield
Release Date: May 10, 2025
Ashleigh Banfield dives deep into the latest revelations surrounding Bryan Kohberger and the Idaho student murders in this compelling episode of "Drop Dead Serious." Drawing from the recent Dateline NBC special hosted by Keith Morrison, Banfield unpacks a torrent of new evidence and testimonies that shed fresh light on the case.
Introduction to New Developments
Banfield begins by emphasizing the significance of the latest Dateline episode, distinguishing it from mere recaps or rehashes. She states, “It is a veritable avalanche of brand new jaw-dropping reporting” (00:30), signaling listeners to brace for a wealth of fresh information.
Bryan Kohberger’s Social Interactions and Behavior
The Summer of 2022
In the summer following Kohberger’s move from Pennsylvania to Washington State University, he attended a pool party that would later come under scrutiny. A neighbor named Holly recounts, “Bryan seemed awkward... he was trying to put himself out there” (00:30). Holly describes a peculiar incident where Kohberger added his own number to her contacts and texted himself, a move she found “robotic and awkward” (02:45).
Observations at the Pool Party
A witness at the party reported Kohberger’s fixation on two women in bikinis, one of whom was married and attempted subtle signals to disengage. The witness noted, “Coburger didn't seem to get the message” (04:10), highlighting Kohberger’s disregard for nonverbal cues.
Subsequent Sightings
The DJ from the pool party later spotted Kohberger hiking alone on the Kamiok Butte trail near Pullman, Washington. The encounter was odd, as Kohberger approached the group as if they were acquaintances, despite them not recognizing him (07:20).
Disturbing Online Activity
August Searches
Six weeks post-move, Kohberger engaged in alarming online behavior. On August 16, he searched for “Ted Bundy,” albeit misspelled as “TED H7N D Y” (09:40). He also downloaded a paper titled “Ted Bundy on the Malignant Being” by Amelie Pednall, indicating a deep dive into serial killer psychology.
Traffic Ticket and Further Searches
Five days after his Bundy-related search, Kohberger received a traffic ticket near 1122 King Road. Shortly after, on August 26, he searched “when can a cop detain you?” (12:15), reflecting possible preoccupation with legal boundaries or evasion tactics.
Suspicious Activity and Possible Break-In
Shared Office Incident
In September, a Korean woman who shared an office with Kohberger at WSU reported signs of a possible break-in: rearranged items, a missing watch and letter, and a mysteriously reappeared apartment key (15:30). Her interactions with Kohberger raised suspicions about his potential involvement.
Romantic Tensions
The woman also revealed a romantic interest in Kohberger, which he reportedly rebuffed, leading to emotional distress and further distancing (17:50). This personal tension adds complexity to understanding Kohberger’s motives.
Escalation Towards the Murders
Increased Online Obsession
By September 30, Kohberger’s online searches became more sinister, including terms like “sociopathic traits in college student” and explicit pornography-related queries such as “forced,” “passed out,” and “drugged” (20:10).
Surveillance Footage
On the night of the murders, November 13, new surveillance footage surfaced showing a white car repeatedly passing 1122 King Road between 3:30 AM and 4:20 AM. The footage captured the car’s engine revving before it sped away (23:45).
Phone Activity Post-Murders
At 6:17 AM, less than two hours after the car was last seen, Kohberger made a 36-minute call from his father’s family plan. He made two more lengthy calls that morning, suggesting nervous or deliberate communication (26:30).
Crime Scene Revelations
Brutality of the Murders
Keith Morrison details the violent nature of the attack, noting that Zanna Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found brutally murdered. Morrison comments, “The fight that followed in Zanna's room was brutal” (30:15), underscoring the heinousness of the crimes.
Forensic Insights
Dateline introduces forensic theories about the movements within the house, though Banfield expresses skepticism about their plausibility based on available evidence (33:00).
Chilling Audio Evidence
A disturbing audio clip captured at 4:17 AM includes a faint whimper followed by a loud thud, possibly from a neighbor’s surveillance system. This audio hints at the timeline and sequence of the violent events (35:50).
Kohberger’s Interest in the Case Post-Murders
YouTube Obsession
Following the murders, Kohberger reportedly watched numerous YouTube videos about the King Road murders, including content from Banfield’s own network, News Nation, and the Law and Crime Network. Banfield muses, “It makes me terrified because if he is the killer, what else would he have fantasized about?” (40:25).
The Final Night
On December 30, police raided Kohberger’s home. Hours before his arrest, he listened to a slowed-down Britney Spears song with lyrics suggesting detachment and conscience absence: “He is a killer just for fun, fun, fun. He's got no conscience, he's got none” (45:10).
Arrest and Aftermath
Kohberger was apprehended wearing a black hoodie and handling a plastic bag in the middle of the night. News Nation’s Brian Enten was first on the scene, documenting the smashed glass and broken front door forced open by SWAT teams. Reports indicate that Kohberger appeared eerily calm, even suggesting to an officer, “maybe we should get a cup of coffee after it's over” (48:30).
Final Thoughts
Ashleigh Banfield concludes the episode by reflecting on the growing body of evidence against Kohberger and the disturbing patterns in his behavior leading up to the murders. She urges listeners to watch the Dateline special for a comprehensive understanding and encourages engagement through comments and reviews.
Notable Quotes:
- “It is a veritable avalanche of brand new jaw-dropping reporting.” – Ashleigh Banfield (00:30)
- “Coburger didn't seem to get the message.” – Pool Party Witness (04:10)
- “The fight that followed in Zanna's room was brutal.” – Keith Morrison (30:15)
- “Maybe we should get a cup of coffee after it's over.” – Kohberger to Police Officer (48:30)
Timestamp References:
- 00:30
- 02:45
- 04:10
- 07:20
- 09:40
- 12:15
- 15:30
- 17:50
- 20:10
- 23:45
- 26:30
- 30:15
- 33:00
- 35:50
- 40:25
- 45:10
- 48:30
Ashleigh Banfield's in-depth exploration of the Bryan Kohberger case in this episode of "Drop Dead Serious" provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complexities and emerging evidence that continue to shape this high-profile investigation.