A suspect arrested in connection with the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho college students once studied how emotions influence why people decide to commit crimes.
A since-deleted Reddit post by the user Criminology_Student from 212 days ago titled “Research Participation Needed” sought out people who had recently committed a crime for a research project focusing on the criminals’ “thoughts and feelings throughout your experience.”
The post said the “research student” leading the study was Bryan Kohberger and included his DeSales University email address.
Police arrested Kohberger, 28, on Friday in Pennsylvania, and he is being held on a warrant for first-degree murder, according to arrest records filed in Monroe County. Court documents obtained by Insider say he will be extradited to Idaho.
NEW: We have reviewed search warrant records in the case of Idaho killings suspect Bryan Kohberger. Among items seized from his apartment:
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) January 18, 2023
• a black disposable glove
• possible hair strands
• computer
• items with red or brown spots/stainshttps://t.co/IyCCcsm9v2
“I invite you to participate in a research project that seeks to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime,” reads the now-deleted Reddit post. “This study seeks to understand the story behind your most recent offense.”
The post was then linked to an anonymous study where the identities and responses of the participants would be kept confidential. According to screenshots of the survey posted on Facebook, the questions focused on the motivations, logistics, and emotions surrounding the respondent’s recent criminal offense.
One question says, “Did you prepare yourself for the crime before leaving the house? Please describe what you were thinking and feeling right now.”
At the time of publication, Kohberger was a graduate student at DeSales University. He graduated with a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, according to a graduate booklet released by DeSales in early 2022.
Kohberger is now a Ph.D. candidate at Washington State University, according to the list of graduate students in the University’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology.
