Is This the Mind of Bryan Kohberger?

New Evidence Raises Disturbing Possibilities

The recent (May 9, 2025) Dateline NBC special "The Terrible Night on King Road" has revealed new evidence in the case against Bryan Kohberger, the criminology PhD student charged with the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students. Among the most chilling revelations: Kohberger's apparent infatuation with Ted Bundy, his disturbing search history, and a "thumbs up" selfie taken the morning after the killings. Kohberger is scheduled to stand trial in August 2025, where he will face charges as the alleged perpetrator of these murders.

New information, particularly digital evidence, offers us a new window into Kohberger's psychological profile. We have searches and photographs from before, during, and after the November 13, 2022, murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The pattern that emerges is of someone whose digital footprint, academic pursuits, and behavior suggest a deeply concerning psychological transformation.

What makes this case particularly significant from a forensic psychology perspective is how Kohberger's academic pursuit of criminology appears to have intertwined with his personal fascinations. While thousands of students study criminal psychology without ever committing crimes, the evidence suggests Kohberger may have crossed the line from studying predators to potentially becoming one—a transformation that leaves a trail of psychological breadcrumbs for us to follow.

Digital Breadcrumbs

Perhaps the most revealing aspect of the new evidence is Kohberger's digital footprint, specifically his search history and content consumption. According to the Dateline special, Kohberger's search history included queries for "Ted Bundy" on August 16, 2022, approximately three months before the murders. Later, on November 18, five days after the murders, he reportedly viewed videos titled "Ted Bundy: The Perfect Killing Machine." By December 27, his viewing had continued with "Ted Bundy: The Essence of a Psychopath."

From a psychological perspective, this pattern suggests more than mere academic interest. The timing of these searches—particularly those after the murders—suggests a deep fascination with Bundy that intensified after the killings. This interest appears to have transcended scholarly research and become a form of psychological engagement with a figure who may have represented an idealized version of himself in his mind.

According to the Dateline special, Kohberger's search history also included pornography with terms like "forced," "passed out," "drugged," and "sleeping" in late August 2022. These specific search terms indicate an interest in scenarios where one party is incapacitated and unable to consent. Such interests often reflect a psychological desire for control and situations where one person has complete power over another.

This need for control can develop from various psychological sources, including past experiences of rejection or humiliation. In Kohberger's case, previous reports of being bullied during his school years might be relevant to understanding this psychological profile.

Also notable were Kohberger's searches for "sociopathic traits in college students" (September 30, 2022) and "Can psychopaths behave pro-socially?" (October 19, 2022), as reported in the Dateline special. These queries could indicate attempts to understand his own psychological makeup through external frameworks. While these searches could be related to his academic studies in criminology, their specificity and timing raise questions about potential self-examination or self-diagnosis.

Selfies as Trophies?

Another significant revelation from the Dateline special was Kohberger's habit of taking selfies at particular times, including a "thumbs up" selfie taken the morning after the murders. This behavior offers a potentially revealing glimpse into his psychological state.

The timing of the "thumbs up" selfie—just hours after the murders—is notable. According to Dateline, in prior online posts, Kohberger had reportedly described himself as a "sickly, tired, useless, and stupid man." The contrast between this self-description and the seemingly positive gesture in the post-murder selfie might suggest a shift in self-perception.

The program also reported that Kohberger appeared to emulate images of Ted Bundy in some selfies taken on December 27, 2022. Dateline showed side-by-side comparisons of these images, suggesting visual similarities between Kohberger's poses and Bundy's appearance in certain photographs and videos.

From a psychological perspective, such physical mimicry can represent identification with a figure one admires or finds fascinating. By adopting poses similar to Bundy's, Kohberger might have been engaging in a form of psychological connection with someone who had become a significant figure in his mental landscape.

The Academic Pursuit: Criminology Studies and Behavior

The relationship between Kohberger's academic interests and alleged criminal behavior raises complex questions. According to various reports, Kohberger studied under forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland at DeSales University, where he received a bachelor's degree in psychology and later a master's degree in criminal justice. Ramsland is known for her extensive research on serial killers, including her work with Dennis Rader (BTK). After completing his studies at DeSales, Kohberger pursued a PhD in criminology at Washington State University.

Kohberger is far from the first alleged killer to show interest in criminology or law enforcement. This pattern has appeared in multiple cases throughout criminal history. Ted Bundy worked at a suicide hotline and studied psychology. Dennis Rader, the BTK killer, worked as a compliance officer and had studied criminal justice. Edmund Kemper volunteered to help police by recording books for the blind and reportedly wanted to become a police officer himself. Joseph James DeAngelo (the Golden State Killer) not only had a degree in criminal justice, but he was also a former cop. This pattern often reflects a desire to understand one's own impulses, gain proximity to authority, or learn techniques to evade capture.

Psychologically, this educational trajectory could be interpreted in a number of ways:

1. Self-Understanding: Some individuals might be drawn to studying criminal psychology as a way to understand their own psychological impulses or tendencies. Rather than academic interest leading to criminal behavior, the causality may run in the opposite direction: pre-existing fascinations or impulses leading someone to study criminology.

2. Understanding Criminal Methods: We have evidence that some would-be or "successful" criminals have studied criminal justice as a way to perfect their craft. Some individuals might study criminology to understand police methods and investigative techniques. Kohberger may have been "trying to learn how to commit the perfect crime" through his studies.

3. Professional Interest in Criminal Psychology: Most students who pursue criminology do so out of professional interest and go on to careers in law enforcement, corrections, or academia. Thousands of criminology students study criminal behavior without ever engaging in it themselves.

The Dateline special reported on disturbing classroom behavior during Kohberger's time as a teaching assistant. According to the program, he allegedly graded female students more harshly and belittled a female professor with a French surname, reportedly saying she "couldn't speak English properly." By late September 2022, there were complaints about his behavior, and in early November, a dean reportedly implemented an "improvement plan" for him.

These reported classroom behaviors, if accurate, might indicate difficulties with authority and potential issues in relationships with women. From a psychological perspective, such patterns can sometimes reflect underlying attitudes or experiences that influence how someone interacts with others in professional or academic settings.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis: Court Documents

A significant development in the case is the disclosure of Kohberger's autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis in court documents. His defense team is using this diagnosis as part of their argument against the death penalty, according to reports from March 2025.

The court filings describe Kohberger as displaying someone who has "extremely rigid thinking, perseverates on specific topics, processes information on a piece-meal basis, struggles to plan ahead," and "demonstrates little insight into his own behaviors and emotions."

It's crucial to understand that ASD itself is not associated with violent behavior; in fact, research consistently shows that individuals with autism are not more likely to commit violent crimes compared to the general population. Any connection between this diagnosis and the alleged crimes would necessarily involve multiple other factors, including potential personality disorders or other pathologies not yet publicly disclosed.

The Dateline special described several interactions that align with some of the social challenges that can be associated with ASD:

1. Awkward social interactions: At a pool party in summer 2022, witnesses described how Kohberger reportedly asked a DJ persistent questions about equipment and techniques. Multiple women at the same party reported feeling uncomfortable with his intense attention and apparent failure to recognize social boundaries.

2. Focused interests: Kohberger allegedly downloaded a specific academic paper titled "Ted Bundy on the Malignant Being" and reportedly watched multiple documentary series about Bundy. This level of focus on specific topics can be common among individuals with ASD.

3. Documentation habits: The program reported that when Kohberger replaced his 2015 Hyundai Elantra plates, he photographed both the old and new plates on the vehicle—a behavior that might reflect a preference for order and documentation.

In April 2025, a judge ruled that prosecutors can still pursue the death penalty against Kohberger despite his autism diagnosis, finding that it does not legally eliminate capital punishment in this case.

The Post-Crime Behaviors: Following the Investigation

According to the Dateline special, Kohberger's behavior after the murders included several notable patterns. The program reported that he searched his own name multiple times, tracked over 60 news items about the murders, and regularly consumed media coverage of the case.

From a psychological perspective, this level of monitoring could serve several purposes. For some perpetrators, following media coverage provides a way to assess how close investigators might be to identifying them. It can also offer a way to relive aspects of the crime through news accounts. In some cases, individuals may derive satisfaction from seeing the impact of their actions on the community and media landscape.

Particularly noteworthy was the Dateline report that Kohberger's phone pinged near Moscow briefly on the morning after the murders, with his phone reportedly detected near King Road for 9 minutes. According to the program, at 6:17 AM (approximately 2 hours after the murders), Kohberger made a 36-minute phone call to his father, followed by two more calls to family members that morning.

Returning to or near a crime scene is a behavior that has been observed in some cases. From a psychological perspective, this could represent various motivations: checking whether evidence was left behind, assessing the police presence, or experiencing the location again after the events that occurred there.

The Path to Violence

The Dateline special provided a chronological framework that allows for precise analysis of behavioral escalation patterns. This timeline reveals a troubling progression from arrival in Washington to the alleged murders:

June 2022:

• Kohberger moves to Pullman, Washington to begin his PhD program

• Takes photos of his Elantra and new apartment complex upon arrival (June 30)

• Attends a pool party where multiple attendees report uncomfortable interactions

• First electronic ping detected near the victims' residence at 1122 King Road after the party

August 2022:

• August 16: Searches for "Ted Bundy" online

• August 16: Madison Mogen posts Instagram photo with roommates, potentially viewed by Kohberger

• August 21: Ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt near King Road at 11:40 PM

• August 26: Searches "When can a cop detain you?"

• Late August: Begins searching pornography with terms like "forced," "passed out," "drugged," and "sleeping"

September 2022:

• Female colleague Na Young Co reports her apartment potentially broken into; Kohberger helps install security system

• Late September: Struggles as teaching assistant; complaints about sexism and belittling female professor

• September 30: Searches "sociopathic traits in college students"

October 2022:

• Continues browsing Instagram photos of WSU and University of Idaho women, including friends of victims

• October 14: Pulled over for running a red light on WSU campus

• October 19: Searches "Can psychopaths behave pro-socially?"

November 2022 (Pre-Murder):

• November 2: Female WSU student reports Kohberger to faculty for confrontational behavior and following her to her vehicle

• November 7: Kohberger's phone pings near King Road for alleged 23rd time in 4 months

• November 10: Stops using debit card; begins anti-forensic actions on work computer

• November 11: Clears school computer

November 13, 2022 (Day of Murders):

• 2:54 AM: Kohberger's phone is turned off

• 3:26-4:07 AM: Surveillance video shows vehicle circling King Road six times

• 4:17 AM: Neighbor's camera captures whimper, thud, and barking dog

• 4:20 AM: Vehicle departs at high speed

• 4:48-5:39 AM: Phone reactivates, pings south of Moscow, then Johnson and Pullman

• 6:17 AM: Calls his father for 36 minutes (approximately 2 hours after murders)

• Makes three calls to family that morning; longest lasted 54 minutes

• 9:12 AM: Phone briefly back in Moscow for 9 minutes

• 10:31 AM: Takes "thumbs up" selfie in bathroom mirror

Post-Murder Period:

• November 15: Searches "University of Idaho murders"

• November 18: Views "Ted Bundy: The Perfect Killing Machine"; replaces Elantra plates and photographs the change

• November 22: KBAR sheath DNA sent for testing; Kohberger searches for KBAR sheath on Amazon but doesn't complete purchase

• November 27: Takes more selfies; searches his own name; tracks 60+ murder news items

• November 28: Watches Dr. Grande episode "Echoes of Ted Bundy" featuring Madison and Kaylee in thumbnail

• November 30: Searches his own name again

• December 6: Searches Amazon for utility/KBAR knife and sheath

• December 15: Watches video with quote "Something is wrong with me"

• December 17: Arrives in Pennsylvania with his father

• December 21: Takes two more selfies

• December 27: DNA from trash compared to sheath; Kohberger watches "Ted Bundy: The Essence of a Psychopath" and takes selfies apparently mimicking Bundy's appearance

• December 29 (11:53 PM): Listens to cover of Britney Spears' song "Criminal"

• December 30 (1:14 AM): Arrested

This detailed chronology reveals a behavioral escalation pattern with distinct phases:

1. Initial Period (June-August): Settling in Washington, early surveillance of King Road area, beginning research on Ted Bundy.

2. Development Period (August-October): Specific pornography searches, increased surveillance, research on sociopathic traits.

3. Preparation Period (Early November): Anti-forensic actions, computer clearing, increased surveillance of King Road.

4. The Murders (November 13): The crimes themselves.

5. Aftermath Period (November 14-December): Self-documentation through selfies, intensified interest in the case and in Ted Bundy, monitoring of investigation.

This progression aligns with psychological models of escalation in planned violence and provides crucial context for understanding the psychological state before, during, and after the alleged crimes.

Smart People Charged with Violent Crimes

Kohberger's case has similarities to other instances where highly educated individuals have been charged with violent crimes. These cases often draw particular attention because of the stark contrast between advanced education and allegations of violence.

James Holmes, who was studying for a neuroscience PhD before the Aurora theater shooting, represents one such case. Ted Kaczynski, who was a mathematics professor before becoming known as the Unabomber, is another example. In such cases, there appears to be a disconnect between intellectual capability and behavior that many find difficult to reconcile.

From a psychological perspective, these cases challenge our understanding of how education relates to behavior. While higher education generally correlates with lower rates of violent crime, these rare exceptions raise questions about how someone can excel academically while allegedly engaging in harmful acts.

As I mentioned earlier, the specific connection to criminology in Kohberger's case adds another dimension. While thousands of criminology students and professionals study criminal behavior as part of their academic or career path, in rare instances, individuals might develop a problematic fascination with the subject matter. This pattern of someone crossing the line from studying crime to allegedly committing it remains extremely uncommon but psychologically significant when it does occur.

The Night of the Crime

The Dateline special provided new information about the events of November 13, 2022, based on their sources. According to their reporting:

1. Madison Mogen as Potential Target: Dateline reported that their law enforcement sources believe Madison Mogen may have been the primary target. Their sources suggested the perpetrator entered through a sliding door and went directly upstairs to Madison's room. From a psychological perspective, such targeted violence often indicates a specific motivation rather than random victim selection.

2. Unexpected Circumstances: According to Dateline's reporting, when the perpetrator entered Madison's room, he found both Madison and Kaylee in the same bed. Kaylee was only visiting that weekend to show off her new Range Rover. Despite finding two people instead of one, the attack proceeded, suggesting an adaptation to unexpected circumstances and a determination to carry out the attack.

3. Details About the Attacks: The special reported that Kaylee was punched with significant force, potentially breaking her nose. The level of violence described suggests intense emotional arousal during the attack. I wonder if this anger stemmed from his plans with Madison being disrupted. I have always believed there was a sexual component to these murders (at least the first one), and discovering an unexpected person in the room with his “target,” making any planned sexual assault virtually impossible, would have likely infuriated him.

4. Xana's Encounter: Dateline's sources indicated that Xana Kernodle was likely in the kitchen using TikTok when she heard the commotion upstairs. She reportedly went to investigate, leading to what was described as "a chase" and "one hell of a struggle."

5. Attack on Ethan: The program reported that Ethan Chapin was likely sleeping when attacked and suffered additional injuries to his lower legs. Post-mortem injuries can sometimes indicate a final display of dominance.

6. The Chair Evidence: Dateline reported that investigators found a blood imprint on a chair in Xana's room, suggesting the perpetrator sat down at some point during or after the attacks. This unusual detail might indicate physical exhaustion or a moment of pause during the events.

It's important to note that these details come from Dateline's reporting based on their sources, and some elements may be preliminary information rather than confirmed facts. The full evidence will be presented at trial when Kohberger faces these allegations in court.

Psychological Profile of an Alleged Killer: Beyond the Academic Facade

Bryan Kohberger has not gone to trial and, as such, is innocent until proven guilty. In fact, his defense has recently suggested they have an alternative suspect they would like to introduce at trial. However, the evidence revealed in the Dateline special paints a concerning portrait of Bryan Kohberger—a criminology student whose apparent fascination with Ted Bundy stands out among the new details reported. His digital activities, as described by the program, suggest someone increasingly consumed by interests related to violent content, control, and crime.

What makes this case so psychologically compelling is how it defies simple explanations. The pattern of surveillance described by Dateline, combined with increasing interest in crime-related content and searches about sociopathic traits, creates a complex psychological picture that investigators are still piecing together.

Importantly, warning signs appear to have been visible to those who knew him best. According to news reports, one of Kohberger's sisters allegedly suspected him of the Idaho murders before his arrest. This suggests that observable behavioral changes or concerning patterns were evident to family members who had the context to recognize them—a critical element that contradicts the notion that such warning signs are only visible in retrospect.

Kohberger's case serves as a reminder of how the study of criminal behavior, while entirely legitimate and valuable for the vast majority of criminology students and professionals, may in some rare cases be pursued by individuals with deeply troubling psychological patterns. For some alleged killers, the academic pursuit may not lead to criminal behavior but rather be sought out because of pre-existing fascinations or as a form of self-understanding. While his autism spectrum disorder diagnosis provides important context for understanding some of his reported behaviors, it cannot explain or excuse the calculated violence described by investigators.

As Kohberger's trial approaches in August 2025, the evidence presented will undoubtedly be scrutinized not just for its legal implications but for what it tells us about the psychology behind one of the most shocking crimes in recent memory. As investigators continue building their case against Kohberger, the evidence suggests a disturbing truth many true crime followers have long suspected: sometimes the people most obsessed with studying killers aren't trying to catch them—they're learning how to become them.

References

Bartels, R. M., & Beech, A. R. (2022). Understanding violent fantasies in relation to criminal behavior. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(23), 11540-11565.

Castle, T., & Hensley, C. (2023). Sadism and violent offending: Recent advances in theory and research. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 69, 101718.

DeLisi, M., Drury, A. J., & Elbert, M. J. (2022). Criminal motivations and antisocial cognition: Toward integrated theory and research. Journal of Criminal Justice, 79, 101889.

Fox, B., & DeLisi, M. (2023). Pathways to serious violence: Criminal thinking patterns. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(9-10), 5462-5485.

Helfgott, J. B. (2015). Criminal behavior and the copycat effect: Literature review and theoretical framework for empirical investigation. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 22, 46-64.

Keatley, D. A., Golightly, H., Shephard, R., & Reid, S. (2021). Case linkage: Behavioral patterns in serial offenders. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(21-22), 10299-10325.

Meloy, J. R., Goodwill, A. M., & Meloy, M. J. (2023). Pre-attack behaviors in public figure attackers. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 41(1), 82-104.

Stevens, E., Dixon, D. R., Novack, M. N., Smith, T., & Linstead, E. (2022). Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(4), 1754-1767.

Vettor, S., Woodhams, J., & Beech, A. R. (2022). A review of the literature on serial homicide. Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, 19(1), 3-22.

Woodworth, M., Porter, S., & ten Brinke, L. (2022). Analysis of post-offense behaviors: Implications for investigation and intervention. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 28(2), 202-216.

As always, thank you for reading this issue of The Mind Detective. Please pass it along to your true-crime-following friends. If there’s a case you’d like me to cover, please reach out.