Idaho 4 murders: Could Xana Kernodle’s brave decision help bring Bryan Kohberger to justice?

In the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were brutally stabbed to death in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. 

The suspect, Bryan Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University, was arrested on Dec. 30, 2022, and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

A recent episode of NBC’s Dateline, which aired on May 10, 2025, introduced a compelling theory from prosecutors: Kernodle may have bravely confronted the killer. They suggest that upon hearing noises upstairs, Kernodle went to investigate, leading to a confrontation that caused the assailant to chase her back downstairs. During this pursuit, the killer allegedly dropped a knife sheath—a critical piece of evidence.

Despite fleeing the killer, Kernodle was brutally attacked and murdered. Her boyfriend, Chapin, was asleep in her bed, possibly passed out drunk, when he was killed with a blow to the artery, according to the Dateline episode. Dateline also says the suspects, who prosecutors allege is Kohberger, “carved” Chapin’s lower legs in the attack in a so far unexplained act of cruelty.

Another chilling detail revealed in the show is that prosecutors say the murderer sat in a chair in Kernodle’s room based on blood evidence discovered on the seat.

The knife sheath is a crucial piece of evidence

Kernodle sadly died, but if she hadn’t checked on her friends, the killer may have never dropped the knife sheath, greatly affecting the possible outcome of the case. The knife sheath, found at the crime scene, contained DNA that was instrumental in identifying Kohberger as the suspect. Investigators used genetic genealogy techniques to match the DNA on the sheath to Kohberger, providing a direct link between him and the murders. Kernodle’s courageous actions may have inadvertently provided the crucial evidence needed to bring her alleged killer to justice.

Kohberger’s trial is scheduled to begin on August 11, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, following a venue change due to concerns about local bias. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. He pleaded not guilty. The Dateline episode, titled “The Terrible Night on King Road,” offers in-depth coverage of the case, including interviews and analysis. It is available for streaming on Peacock and NBC’s digital platforms.