Newly revealed video evidence is shedding light on the night of the tragic murders of four University of Idaho students, as it shows a car matching the description of the vehicle owned by suspect Bryan Kohberger circling the students' off-campus residence. The footage, obtained by NBC's "Dateline," captures a white Hyundai Elantra making multiple passes around the block of the students' Moscow home on November 13, 2022, the very night the shocking quadruple murders took place.
The video shows the car approaching the house repeatedly before speeding away approximately 13 minutes later. According to a forensic examiner with the FBI, the vehicle is likely a 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra, with the possibility of it being a model as late as 2016. Kohberger himself drives a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra, which he was stopped in by Indiana authorities on December 15, 2022, while traveling with his father.
Kohberger is accused of brutally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin to death in their off-campus home. As the investigation has progressed, prosecutors have gathered more evidence, including cell phone tower data and a disturbing internet search history that allegedly details Kohberger's movements around the time of the killings.
An FBI cellphone expert reported that Kohberger's phone connected to a cell tower roughly 300 feet from the students' rental house over 23 times in the four months leading up to the murders, with one documented visit occurring just six days prior to the tragic events.
In addition, Kohberger's phone records revealed chilling internet searches before and after the murders. These searches included inquiries about infamous serial killer Ted Bundy and pornography containing terms such as "forced," "passed out," "drugged," and "sleeping." This alarming data was highlighted in a recent episode of "Dateline," which aired on May 9, 2025.
As Kohberger prepares for his trial, set to begin on August 11, 2025, his defense team has argued that he often took long drives at night for stargazing, suggesting that the cell phone data does not definitively link him to the crime scene at the time of the murders. However, the evidence continues to mount against him.
Two surviving roommates from the house where the murders occurred are expected to testify at the trial, which will be overseen by Ada County Judge Steven Hippler. Kohberger, now 30, was pursuing a Ph.D. in criminology at nearby Washington State University, located just 10 miles from the crime scene.
In another shocking revelation, investigators have reported that Kohberger's phone contained dozens of photos of women from Washington State and the University of Idaho, including close friends of the victims. This detail was shared by Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison, who previewed the episode that delves into the timeline leading up to the murders and the evidence tying Kohberger to the case.
The four victims, all students at the University of Idaho, were killed in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, in their off-campus home on King Road. The horrific nature of the crime has left the community in shock and mourning.
Angela Navejas, the mother of one of the victims' best friends, shared her perspective in the Dateline episode, revealing that her daughter had initially planned to stay at the King Road home that night but changed her plans. Navejas expressed her relief that her daughter avoided the grim fate that befell her friends, stating, "All I could think about was the kids."
As the trial approaches, public interest in the case remains high, with many eager to learn more about the evidence and the circumstances surrounding the tragic events. The Dateline episode, titled "The Terrible Night on King Road," aims to provide viewers with a comprehensive overview of the case, including new evidence and expert insights.
As the investigation continues to unfold, the families of the victims are left grappling with their loss, while the community seeks justice for the four young lives tragically cut short. Kohberger has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, and his defense maintains that there may be alternative suspects in the case.
The upcoming trial is expected to draw significant attention, as it will not only address the evidence against Kohberger but also the broader implications of crime and safety in college communities. With the eyes of the nation on Moscow, Idaho, the search for truth and justice remains at the forefront of this heartbreaking story.
In light of the ongoing developments, the case serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of life and the need for vigilance in ensuring the safety of students everywhere. The University of Idaho, once a place of learning and growth, now finds itself at the center of a tragedy that will reverberate through the community for years to come.
As the trial date approaches, the families of the victims and the community await answers, hoping for closure and justice for the lives lost in this tragic event.
