Netflix docuseries revisits 2022 Idaho student murders and suspect's plea
The three-part Netflix documentary examines the 2022 killings of four University of Idaho students, the guilty plea and sentencing of former criminology student Bryan Kohberger, and reactions from victims' families and officials.
A new three-part documentary on Netflix explores the 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students – Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin – and the subsequent legal proceedings involving former Washington State University criminology student Bryan Kohberger. Kohberger, 31, entered a guilty plea in July 2025 and was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without parole. The series includes testimony from surviving roommates, university officials and law-enforcement officers.
Surviving roommates Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke called police after discovering their friends unresponsive in an off-campus house. Police body-camera footage shows the friends waiting outside the house while officers investigated. University Dean of Students Blaine Eckles said he was surprised by the initial police report that only identified the victims as “college students.” Moscow Police Chief Anthony Dahlinger noted that the university issued an emergency alert before police had confirmed details, a step he said would have benefited from better coordination.
The documentary also recounts that Kohberger, arrested in December 2022, had previously taken a class on serial killers at Washington State University, which classmates described as his primary academic interest. Former classmates said he was socially isolated and focused intensely on coursework. Digital-forensics experts who examined his devices reported an unusually low number of contacts and extensive use of private browsing, noting searches for terms such as “serial killers” and “federal wiretapping” in the weeks before his arrest.
Family members of the victims expressed dissatisfaction with the demolition of the house where the murders occurred in December 2023, arguing that the structure contained evidence needed for trial. They also criticized the plea agreement, saying it allowed Kohberger to avoid the death penalty and left many questions unanswered about his motive.
Police officers involved in the case reported significant emotional impact, with some seeking professional counseling after the investigation. The Moscow Police Department received assistance from Idaho State Police and the FBI during the inquiry.