> At a Glance
> – Bryan Kohberger’s sister Mel spoke publicly for the first time in January 2026
> – She warned her brother about the “psycho killer” before his December 2022 arrest
> – The family had no idea he committed the Idaho murders
> – Why it matters: Shows the devastating impact on families of accused killers
Mel Kohberger’s world shattered when her brother was arrested for murdering four University of Idaho students. In her first public interview with The New York Times in January 2026, she revealed how the family lived in fear of the killer-never knowing it was their own son and brother.
The Warning She Never Knew She Gave
After the November 2022 murders, Mel begged her brother to stay safe. She knew he lived just 15 minutes from the crime scene and often left his door unlocked during late-night runs.
Mel told The New York Times:
> “Bryan, you are running outside and this psycho killer is on the loose. Be careful.”
He thanked her for the concern and promised to stay safe. The family spent Christmas together playing party games, unaware police were closing in.
A Normal Family Christmas
On December 25, 2022, the Kohbergers celebrated at their Pennsylvania home. Mel cut her finger while cleaning, and Bryan-who expressed disgust at blood-helped bandage the wound.
Five days later, FBI agents stormed the house at night. Mel wasn’t home when her sister Amanda delivered the shocking news.
Amanda told her:
> “I’m with the F.B.I., Bryan’s been arrested… The Idaho murders.”
Life Destroyed by Association
The arrest destroyed more than Bryan’s life. Mel lost her mental health counseling job before it started when her employer became overwhelmed with media inquiries. Someone published a fake book on Amazon using her name.
The family continues supporting Bryan through regular calls, though they avoid discussing the case. When she couldn’t attend his 2025 sentencing due to their father’s heart problems, Mel sent a small heart drawing to let him know he was loved.
Key Takeaways
- Bryan Kohberger was convicted in 2025 of murdering four Idaho students
- His family warned him about the “psycho killer” without knowing it was him
- The sister lost her mental health career before it began
- The family maintains contact but never discusses the murders**
Mel Kohberger’s story reveals how mass killers devastate not just victims’ families but their own, leaving relatives to grapple with guilt, loss, and public scorn they never earned.
