Newly released body camera footage has provided a chilling glimpse into the behavior of Bryan Kohberger months before he committed the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students. Captured during a traffic stop on August 21, 2022, the video shows Kohberger being pulled over for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt on the Pullman-Moscow Highway, a route connecting Washington State University in Pullman,

Newly released body camera footage has provided a chilling glimpse into the behavior of Bryan Kohberger months before he committed the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students. Captured during a traffic stop on August 21, 2022, the video shows Kohberger being pulled over for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt on the Pullman-Moscow Highway, a route connecting Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, to the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho

🚨 The August 2022 Traffic Stop

In the footage released by the Latah County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Darren Duke approaches Kohberger’s white Hyundai Elantra—the same vehicle later linked to the November 2022 killings. Kohberger admits to not wearing his seatbelt and is issued a $10 citation for the violation. Despite acknowledging his fault, Kohberger’s reaction is notably defensive and irritable. He questions the deputy’s methods and expresses concern about the potential impact of the ticket on his insurance rates.

His behavior during this encounter has drawn attention, especially in hindsight, as it contrasts sharply with the calm demeanor he would later exhibit during police interrogations following his arrest. The footage was initially withheld for trial purposes but was released after Kohberger’s unexpected guilty plea in July 2025. Prosecutors had intended to use the video during the trial to illustrate his demeanor and potential premeditation. Post+1

🕵️ Kohberger’s Background and Connection to the Case

At the time of the traffic stop, Kohberger was a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University, located less than eight miles from the University of Idaho. The proximity of his residence to the victims’ off-campus home has led to speculation that he may have been surveilling the area prior to the murders. His vehicle, a white Hyundai Elantra, was one of the first major developments in the case before he was identified as the suspect.

Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022, in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, and was later charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. He pleaded guilty to all charges on July 2, 2025, in a deal to avoid the death penalty, receiving four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

🔍 Implications of the Footage

The release of this body camera footage adds a new layer of understanding to Kohberger’s character and behavior leading up to the murders. His defensive and irritable reaction during the traffic stop may suggest a sense of entitlement or a lack of accountability, traits that could be indicative of deeper psychological issues. While the footage alone cannot explain his motives, it contributes to the broader profile of an individual who, despite outward appearances, harbored violent tendencies

The public release of this video, along with other previously undisclosed materials, continues to shed light on the events leading up to the tragic deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. As investigators and the public seek to understand the full scope of Kohberger’s actions and mindset, such footage serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in criminal behavior and the importance of thorough investigative work