Bryan Kohberger finally admits to murdering students - but five agonising questions remain

Bryan Kohberger has made a shocking last-minute decision to plead guilty to the horrific murders of four university students.

The 30-year-old stabbed Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin to death in the women's off-campus flat in Moscow, Idaho in July 2022.

A seven-week intensive manhunt led to the arrest of criminology PHD student Kohberger at his family home in Pennsylvania. Denying involvement in the brutal slayings and with his trial set for August, he had faced the death penalty until the plea deal was struck.

As long as Idaho Fourth Judicial District Judge Steven Hippler agrees - and it's unlikely for judges to reject plea deals - Kohberger will avoid the possibility of execution. While the family of Ethan reportedly supports the deal, Kaylee's family said they were "beyond furious at the State of Idaho" for offering it.

Kaylee's loved ones believe any plea deal should require the murderer to make a full confession, provide the facts of what happened and disclose the location of the murder weapon - as they are left desperate for answers.

In light of the latest development, we asked two experts - Adam Jones, legal expert at law firm HD Claims and behavioural criminologist Alex Iszatt - five key questions about the case...

READ MORE: Bryan Kohberger to plead guilty to murdering 4 Idaho students - to dodge death penalty

Why did Bryan Kohberger change his plea?

Adam: "The sudden shift from denying responsibility to accepting guilt raises serious questions. It was likely a tactical move, potentially to avoid the intense scrutiny and trauma of a lengthy trial – both for himself and the public."

Alex: "It was a final act of control, snatching back power not only over his future but over the memory of the victims. That, in itself, is deeply in character."

What did the plea deal mean for the families involved?

Alex: "Avoiding the death penalty, Bryan Kohberger will now spend the rest of his life in prison — what one of the victims' families called 'adult child care'. But the outrage isn't just about the sentence. It's about the way he played them. After months of denial, he suddenly admitted everything — just when it benefits him."

Adam: "Bryan Kohberger's decision to accept a plea deal was monumental – not just legally but emotionally for the families involved.

"It may offer some closure in legal terms but for many families, it will feel like justice has been negotiated. The plea may have ended the court proceedings but for the families, this chapter doesn't close. It simply stops being public. It can feel like a final insult: denial followed by a deal struck behind closed doors."

What will life be like for Kohberger in prison?

Adam: "Life in a US maximum-security prison will be stark. Kohberger will likely be placed in protective custody, isolated from the general population due to the notoriety of his crimes. He'll live under near-constant surveillance, with limited social contact – effectively a lifetime of psychological isolation."

Alex: "Inside prison, he'll likely be housed in a high-security unit, isolated from others for safety. He may get limited movement, classes, or books — but he'll have no audience, no influence, and no escape. For someone like Bryan, that loss of control will cut deep. And while he's now behind bars for life, don't expect this to be the last we hear from him."

What makes a person commit such a horrific crime?

Adam: "People who commit crimes of this nature often share a disturbing mix of narcissism, detachment, and an overwhelming need for control. These are not crimes of passion – they're calculated, deliberate, and designed to dominate headlines and destroy lives."

Alex: "From the start, Bryan's actions have shown chilling calculation. That nigh, he stalked, planned, and executed his crimes with eerie precision. He wasn't out of control — he was feeding an obsession. This is someone driven by control, dominance, and a disturbing detachment from consequence. He knew exactly what he was doing when he entered that house. And he knows exactly what he's doing now."

Is Kohberger sending a message to his victims' families?

Alex: "He was studying the criminal justice system and now he's manipulating it. Even writing to the victims' families from prison, as he's reportedly done, fits the pattern.

"It's not connection, it's domination. A textbook case of duper's delight; where the killer doesn't just want to take a life, they want to stay inside your head long after. That's the kind of psychological warfare we're dealing with here."