Four American university students stabbed to death in their sleep, manhunt leads to arrest after almost seven weeks

UpdateIn the US state of Idaho, four university students have been stabbed to death in their sleep. Almost seven weeks after the bloody facts, a suspect has now been arrested. It concerns Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a 28-year-old man who followed criminal law at another university.

At 3 a.m., a SWAT team raided his parents’ home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, more than 2,500 miles from where the massacre took place. Kohberger turned out to be effectively hiding there. After being handcuffed, he asked the officers if “anyone else had been arrested”.

Prime suspect Bryan Kohberger. © AP

On November 13, the city of Moscow was shaken by a cowardly knife attack. Kaylee Goncalves (21), Madison Mogen (21) and Xana Kernodle (20) were attacked in their sleep after a night out. Despite traces of resistance, they didn’t stand a chance. Ethan Chapin, Xana’s new friend, also did not survive the massacre. All victims showed stab wounds to the torso, the perpetrator probably used a large knife with a fixed blade. There were no indications of sexual abuse.

Flyers called for tips related to the murder case to be shared with the police. © AP

The great manhunt that started now seems to be yielding results for the first time. Investigators seized Kohberger’s white Hyundai Elantra. That type of car was spotted at the crime scene. His apartment in Pullman (Washington) is now subject to a thorough investigation. That location is a fifteen minute drive from the campus where the four victims stayed.

Kohberger is said to have graduated from Washington State University, and according to that institution’s website, he holds a doctorate in criminology and criminal justice. He was charged with murder. No information has been released about his possible motive or how investigators tracked him down.

Students mourn the victims during a vigil. © REUTERS

Whether there is a link between the students and Kohberger is currently unknown. Goncalves and Mogen were last filmed around 1:30 a.m. on that fatal night by a bar security camera.

Less than half an hour later, the girls were at the door of their home on campus. Kernodle and Chapin returned from a party at about the same time. Other students who had gone to bed a little earlier were left undisturbed.