On November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho undergraduates, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were brutally stabbed to death, at night, in their beds. After exhaustive work, the Moscow town police, Idaho state detectives, and the FBI identified and arrested their top and only suspect, Bryan Kohberger, on December 30, 2022. Howard Blum, accomplished reporter and author, is a highly reputable source for the complete story on these gruesome murders. While this story has been cooking on the webs since 2022, the judge declared a gag order on the police, prosecution and defense teams, and victims’ families. Blum presents all evidence that was made known prior to that gag order, as well as his own conjecture, in an respectful, honest, and memorable way. The jury selection will begin in late July, with the trial commencing in August, 2025. All watchers, especially the victims’ families, are anxious for justice to be served, and an end brought to this nightmare.

For true crime aficionados, this case is complicated and not a slam dunk conviction. Every bit of evidence has two sides, from the touch DNA found on the knife sheath left behind by the killer; to the validity of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) used to identify Kohberger; to the area security videos, in which neither driver nor license plate can be seen; to the contestible location of cell phone pings— everything can be debated. How can one person kill four healthy, young people with one knife in twenty minutes, and escape without leaving their own blood, or getting blood anywhere else? Where are the clothes the killer wore, which had to be very bloody? Why these students at this time—what connects Kohberger to these victims? The more you learn about Kohberger’s background and personality, the more he looks like a textbook killer. But is that enough to convict, and end his life?

Blum also explores the main alternate theory, that there were two drug dealers working the Moscow area, home of the University and thousands of young people who might be lured into drug use. All residents at the victims’ 1122 King Road home were Greeks, members of the active sorority and fraternity life at U of I. While the toxicology reports of the victims found them clear of any drugs, might this tragedy have been drug related? The King Road home was a big party house, although no drugs or paraphernalia were found by detectives. Blum also explores others known by the victims, who may have had motive— the police did so extensively, and found no evidence leading to anyone else.

This story is equal parts heart breaking and fascinating. I have only scratched the surface of evidence and other factors here. This will be the lead story in August, and Blum’s book is the best way to get the facts in a reliable way before then. Highly recommended.