Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield Episode: The Internet’s Most Chilling Theory: Was Bryan Kohberger Pappa Rodger?
Release Date: July 11, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield, host Ashleigh delves into one of the most perplexing and chilling theories surrounding the Bryan Kohberger case. The episode meticulously examines whether Kohberger, the convicted murderer of four University of Idaho students, could be the enigmatic online persona known as "Papa Roger," linked to discussions reminiscent of Elliot Rodger's infamous manifesto.

Bryan Kohberger's Guilty Plea and Public Outcry

Ashleigh opens the episode by addressing the widespread feeling of injustice following Bryan Kohberger's unexpected guilty plea to the Idaho student murders. Listeners are reminded of the public's thirst not only for his punishment but for understanding his motives behind the heinous crime.

"[00:03] I know a thing or two about true crime... I’ve been reporting on it for 36 years. This is the podcast where I take you on a journey through mystery and injustice..."
— Ashleigh Banfield

The episode underscores the frustration that even a conviction might not fully illuminate Kohberger's reasons for targeting and murdering four young college students he reportedly never met.

Unveiling Kohberger’s Academic Pursuits

Delving deeper, Ashleigh reveals that Kohberger was not just an ordinary student but an avid scholar in criminal justice. Holding a master's degree and pursuing a PhD, Kohberger immersed himself in the study of forensics and criminal psychology, analyzing past killers to refine his understanding of their methods.

"[00:56] So he did years of coursework in forensics and criminal psychology, analyzing the methods and picking apart the the writings of killers who came before him."
— Ashleigh Banfield

Elliot Rodger’s Influence

A significant portion of Kohberger's academic focus was on Elliot Rodger, a psychopath known for his 2014 killing spree near the University of California, Santa Barbara. Rodger's manifesto and actions eerily mirror aspects of Kohberger's own crimes, particularly in targeting members of Greek life and employing similar weapons.

"[02:10] Elliot Rodger penned a 137 page manifesto... As it turns out, Brian Kohberger studied manifest of Elliot Rodger at length while he was a criminology student..."

The Enigmatic "Papa Roger"

The core of the episode revolves around the mysterious online figure "Papa Roger," who surfaced shortly after the Idaho murders. This user adeptly dissected case details with unsettling precision, prompting speculation about his true identity.

"[07:30] But when it comes to the Idaho murders, there is also the social media account called Papa Roger..."

Ashleigh highlights how multiple posts by Papa Roger anticipated specific details of the case, such as the location of the killer's knife sheath and the duration he spent at the crime scene.

"[09:46] The killer was in the house about 15 minutes from 4:05am until about 4:20am when his white Elantra was seen speeding out of the neighborhood."
— Papa Roger (as discussed by Ashleigh Banfield)

Analyzing Papa Roger’s Posts

The episode meticulously examines several key posts by Papa Roger, correlating them with confirmed facts from the case:

1. Knowledge of the Knife Sheath
   On November 30, 2022, Papa Roger speculated about the murder weapon's sheath being left at the scene—a detail not made public until over a month later.

   "[11:30] This leads me to believe they found the sheath."

2. Temporal Details
   Papa Roger's precise estimation of the time the killer spent in the house aligns with the actual timeline of Kohberger's presence at the crime scene.

   "[12:11] 15 minutes. Well, as it turns out, the killer was actually in the house about 15 minutes..."

3. Strategic Planning
   Observations about the entrance and potential escape routes foreshadowed Kohberger's actual method of accessing and fleeing the crime scene.

   "[13:45] It shows planning... But that was Papa Roger. This was Bryan Kohberger."

Interview with Josh Ferraro: A Classmate's Perspective

A pivotal segment of the episode features an in-depth conversation with Josh Ferraro, a former classmate of Kohberger at DeSales University. Josh provides personal insights into Kohberger's personality and habits, which eerily resonate with traits that would align him with the Papa Roger persona.

"[15:46] B: As a student, he was very astute, very diligent, and he was a pleasure to work with..."

Key Highlights from the Interview:

• Chameleon-like Nature: Josh describes Kohberger as someone who was reserved but meticulous in his work, rarely engaging in small talk.

  "[17:09] B: No, I can't say that I do. I mean, he was like a chameleon..."

• Potential Red Flags: While Josh didn't observe overt warning signs during their time together, he notes subtle oddities, such as Kohberger consistently wearing long sleeves regardless of the weather.

  "[17:37] B: ...he always wore long sleeves, no matter if it was hot or not."

• Connection to Papa Roger: Josh doesn't express definitive proof but acknowledges the plausibility of Kohberger being Papa Roger, considering his alleged admiration for Elliot Rodger.

  "[19:56] B: ...it would not surprise me in the slightest if to relive that high, he entered that community just to feel everything that he felt that night again."

• Reactions to Plea Deal: Josh expresses dismay over Kohberger's plea deal, advocating for the death penalty as a means of justice for the victims.

  "[22:26] B: Yeah, I wrote a paper about the death penalty in college. I'm. I'm for the death penalty..."

Conclusion: Weighing the Evidence and Implications

Ashleigh wraps up the episode by piecing together the convoluted puzzle of Papa Roger's posts, Kohberger's academic background, and the chilling possibility that the convicted murderer may have orchestrated his own digital shadow to dissect and perhaps even revel in his heinous acts.

The convergence of Kohberger's deep dive into criminal psychology, his possible fascination with Elliot Rodger, and the uncanny accuracy of Papa Roger's online conjectures create a compelling narrative that blurs the lines between perpetrator and profiler.

"[23:24] A: I'm Ashley Banfield. Thank you so much for listening. I am so appreciative that you're part of this community. And remember, the truth isn't just serious, it's drop dead seriously."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a profound exploration into the dark intersections of academia, online anonymity, and criminal intent. Ashleigh Banfield masterfully navigates through intricate details, expert interviews, and speculative theories to present a comprehensive analysis of one of the internet's most chilling true crime theories.

Listeners are left pondering the depths of human psychology and the potential for individuals like Kohberger to manipulate digital platforms in the wake of their crimes, leaving a trail that is as perplexing as it is disturbing.