Newly released police documents have revealed disturbing details about Bryan Kohberger‘s behavior at a Washington hotel just months before he killed four University of Idaho students. The reports show a pattern of aggressive behavior and an obsession with knives that may have served as early warning signs of what was to come.
According to the police report, as obtained by TMZ, Kohberger showed up alone at the hotel in Pullman, Washington, on June 30, 2022, after he booked the room through Expedia. What happened next would later take on a chilling significance when viewed in light of the November 2022 murders.
The documents say Kohberger made a beeline for the front desk and apparently got mad when he thought she “overcharged” him for the room while checking him in. Cops say they were told Kohberger became “really upset” over being double-charged, but once she fixed the mistake, he was “nice” and even began flirting with her. The hotel clerk, who was training that day, later told police about Kohberger’s sudden mood swing from anger to friendliness after the billing error was corrected.
Knife collection conversation raises red flags
The most disturbing revelation came from what happened the following day at the hotel. The worker later told cops, she encountered Kohberger again in the hallway and says they chatted about “sheaths and collecting knives,” as well as “self-defense weapons and knife collections”. This conversation took place just months before Kohberger used a knife to kill Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen.
The timing of these interactions is particularly significant. Kohberger had just moved to Pullman as a criminology doctoral student at Washington State University. His fascination with knives and weapons, combined with his volatile reaction to perceived slights, painted a troubling picture that authorities only recognized after the murders occurred.
Police learned about Kohberger’s hotel stay after someone called the FBI tip line following his arrest in December 2022. The caller’s information led investigators to uncover these previously unknown interactions that now seem like missed warning signs. The investigation into Kohberger’s past revealed numerous disturbing behaviors that preceded the November murders.
The hotel incident adds to a growing list of troubling behaviors that Kohberger displayed in the months leading up to the crimes. Newly released documents have shown that Kohberger’s online search history included disturbing terms related to violence and control, suggesting his criminal intentions may have been developing over time.
Kohberger ultimately pleaded guilty to the murders in July 2025 and was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without parole. The hotel encounter serves as a stark reminder of how seemingly minor incidents can take on profound meaning when viewed through the lens of subsequent tragic events. The case highlights the challenge of identifying potential threats before they escalate into violence.
Published: Aug 28, 2025 01:40 pm