> At a Glance
> – Mel Kohberger told her brother a “psycho killer” was loose near the University of Idaho murders
> – She had no idea Bryan Kohberger was the perpetrator at the time
> – Why it matters: The revelation shows how close the killer was to his family-and how unaware they were of his crimes
Weeks before Bryan Kohberger was arrested for the November 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, his sister Mel warned him to be careful. She had no clue he was the killer.
The Warning
In a New York Times interview, Mel Kohberger recalled telling her brother:
> “Bryan, you are running outside and this psycho killer is on the loose. Be careful.”
At the time, Bryan was pursuing a Ph.D. at Washington State University, less than 10 miles from the Moscow, Idaho crime scene. He thanked her for checking in and said he’d stay safe.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov. 13, 2022 | Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin stabbed to death |
| Dec. 30, 2022 | Bryan Kohberger arrested in Pennsylvania after DNA linked him to a knife sheath |
| July 2025 | Kohberger pleads guilty to four counts of murder, avoids death penalty |
Family Shock
Mel told the Times she was stunned by her brother’s arrest. She also revealed he had previously battled heroin addiction but overcame it to pursue higher education.
> “If I ever had a reason to believe my brother did anything, I would have turned him in,” she said.
Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without parole.
Key Takeaways
- Mel Kohberger warned her brother about a killer-unaware he was the suspect
- Bryan Kohberger was arrested after DNA evidence tied him to the scene
- He pleaded guilty in 2025 and received life without parole
The interview offers a chilling look at how the killer’s family remained in the dark until the very end.
