Bryan Kohberger’s past speaks up, expresses fear for what may have inspired the Idaho 4 murders

Dr. Katherine Ramsland, the renowned true‑crime expert who once taught Bryan Kohberger, has broken her silence on the accused murderer. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic.

As Kohberger moves forward with a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, Ramsland spoke to NewsNation’s Brian Entin. As a witness, she was previously under a gag order. But with the plea deal accepted, Ramsland, a serial killer expert, is now free to share her thoughts.

“Clearly not an alibi”

In her NewsNation interview, Ramsland weighed in on the alibi Kohberger used after his arrest. Kohberger’s defense said he was driving late at night to stargaze when the murder happened. “When he said his alibi,” Ramsland said, “and it was clearly not an alibi. He would’ve known that through his classes and undergraduate work. That was when I was floored that this is my student who has done these things,” Ramsland said.

Up to that point, Ramsland said she gave Kohberger the “benefit of the doubt.” She added, “His demeanor was that he was confident that he was going to prove his innocence.”

Now, she says, “I’m disappointed, angry, and shocked that this is who he turned out to be and horrified for the victims and their families,” adding her concern that her coursework may have in some way inspired the crimes.

Background on Kohberger and Ramsland

Kohberger, a former Ph.D. student in criminology at Washington State University, is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in their Moscow rental home on November 13, 2022.
Authorities arrested Kohberger in Pennsylvania in December 2022 after police linked him via DNA and phone data.

Ramsland is one of America’s leading forensic psychologists and true‑crime authors, having co‑authored a book with BTK killer Dennis Rader and taught at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, where Kohberger was her student.

Kohberger accepts plea deal, avoids death penalty

On June 30, 2025, prosecutors announced that Kohberger formally agreed to plead guilty to four counts of first‑degree murder and a burglary charge, in exchange for four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, and avoiding capital punishment.

A court hearing is scheduled for July 2 at 11 a.m. in Boise’s Ada County Courthouse, where Judge Hippler will consider accepting the plea and scheduling sentencing for late July. Idaho 4 victim’s families remain divided. While some seek closure, others argue the deal denies transparency and full accountability.

Ramsland’s input on the case

Drawing on her academic expertise and forensic insight, Dr. Ramsland’s blunt critique of Kohberger’s alibi and demeanor underscores that his defense rested more on speculation than on science or credible corroboration

This plea deal and court hearing mark a pivotal turning point in one of the most chilling true-crime sagas in recent US memory. Dr. Ramsland’s voice adds even more pressure to a case many hoped would see Kohberger take full accountability in court.