Bryan Kohberger, the man who
recently
confessed to murdering four University of Idaho students, may not have left the crime scene empty-handed. According to testimony from Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson, one of the surviving roommates saw Kohberger leaving the Moscow home on Nov. 13, 2022, holding a “container.”
The detail, revealed in court just after Kohberger admitted guilt, comes from the only eyewitness in the case — a roommate who came face-to-face with Kohberger as he exited through a sliding glass door. Prosecutors believe that same door was also his point of entry.
Though the exact contents of the
container remain unknown
due to a strict court gag order, the object could be critical to understanding both motive and the events of that night. Thompson’s remarks suggest it may have been either a piece of evidence, a personal item from one of the victims, or even a container for the murder weapon.
Possible Explanations for the ‘Container’
One theory points to a DoorDash order that victim Xana Kernodle received around 4 a.m., shortly before she and her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, were killed. The presence of the food could indicate Kohberger didn’t initially plan to confront Kernodle and Chapin — possibly encountering them by accident after murdering Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen on the home’s third floor.
Another possibility is that Kohberger used the
container
to hide the weapon or eliminate forensic evidence — which may explain why no murder weapon has been recovered and why only the KA-BAR knife sheath was found at the scene.
Investigators also haven’t ruled out the idea that Kohberger took a memento. Given his background in criminology, experts suggest he may have removed an item from the house as a twisted trophy — a pattern seen in some serial crimes.
What Happens Next?
Due to a non-dissemination order, much of the evidence remains sealed. However, media outlets are pushing to lift the gag order and unseal court records, with a hearing scheduled for July 17. Kohberger’s sentencing is set for July 23. Prosecutors have recommended four consecutive life sentences, which Kohberger has accepted in exchange for the state dropping the death penalty.
As the case nears its final chapter, lingering questions — including what Kohberger was holding that night — may soon be answered.
