The man accused of killing four students at the University of Idaho applied for a job with the police department, which later contributed to his arrest.
Bryan Kohberger, himself a graduate student at Washington State University (WSU), reportedly met with Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins on April 12, 2022.
A few hours later, Kohberger followed their meeting with a gushing email that revealed the defendant was hoping to land a three-year position as a public safety research associate, according to the New York Times, which received the emails.
“It was my great pleasure to meet you today and share my thoughts and excitement regarding the Public Safety Research Assistant,” Kohberger wrote.
Bryan Kohberger (pictured January 5), who is accused of killing four students at the University of Idaho, was interviewed for a job with the police department, which later contributed to his arrest
Bryan Kohberger, himself a graduate student at Washington State University (WSU), reportedly met with Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins (pictured) on April 12, 2022.
‘I am happy to hear from you. Best regards, Bryan,” he added.
“Great to meet you and speak to you as well,” Police Chief Jenkins reportedly replied.
The graduate research position was offered by WSU, where Kohberger received his PhD in criminology.
According to the job description published by WSU, “The purpose of these positions is to assist each agency with data management and analysis, positioning them for success as they seek outside funding,” Inside Edition reported.
It was not immediately clear if this was the same position referenced in the likely affidavit filed in the investigation into the murders of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.
The affidavit claims that Kohberger “wrote an essay while applying for an internship with the Pullman Police Department in the fall of 2022.”
In that essay, the alleged killer said, according to Inside Edition, “He had an interest in helping rural law enforcement agencies better collect and analyze technological data in public safety operations.
The emails suggest Kohberger was one of four candidates being considered.
It was also not immediately clear if he would get the job, which was due to start on August 22. The four Idaho universities were stabbed to death at their home in Moscow in the early hours of November 13.
Inside Edition said the Pullman Police Department has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
It was not immediately clear whether the position Kohberger was applying for was the same position referenced in the likely affidavit filed in the investigation into the murders of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20 (pictured)
The University of Idaho four were stabbed to death in the early hours of November 13 at their home in Moscow (pictured).
The same police department helped locate the suspect vehicle and conducted searches of Kohberger’s WSU home on campus and the office he shared with two other teaching assistants hours after his December arrest.
On Tuesday, unsealed court documents revealed that investigators seized stained linens, strands of hair and a single glove — but no gun — during a search of Kohberger’s WSU college dorm.
Court records show eight strands of hair were recovered from the home, as well as a “possible” pet hair.
They also recovered a Fire TV stick, a black nitrate glove, a Walmart receipt with a single Dickies tag, two Marshall receipts, and a dust container from a Bissell Power Force vacuum. All items are now stored at the Washington State University Police Department.
Authorities reportedly said they wanted to see if hair had been “transferred” to Kohberger and then back to his home – including Ms Goncalves’ dog.
Investigators found nothing suspicious in Kohberger’s office.
It was revealed last week that Kohberger dined at a Greek restaurant where two of the students he is accused of murdering worked as waitresses.
Mogen and Kernodle had worked at the Mad Greek Restaurant in Moscow for years.
A former employee has now revealed that Kohberger visited the restaurant at least twice in the run-up to her death and ate vegan pizza.
The revelation is the latest in a series suggesting Kohberger may have been stalking the students.
On Thursday it emerged that an Instagram account apparently linked to the suspect had followed three of the victims – Mogen, Kernodle and Goncalves.
Pictured: Kohberger’s Pullman, Washington, home was searched by police for evidence supporting the ongoing investigation into the murders of the four Idaho students
The affidavit claims Kohberger (pictured) “wrote an essay while applying for an internship with the Pullman Police Department in the fall of 2022.”
A multitude of fake Instagram accounts claiming to be Kohberger have proliferated since his arrest late last month, but People Magazine cited a source who claimed to be familiar with the criminology student’s real account.
The magazine didn’t name the account but said it has since been deleted from the service, a step Instagram parent company Meta often takes for suspects in high-profile violent crimes.
Experts also speculated last week that the suspect Kohberger could have left a knife sheath as a calling card at the crime scene.
They also said the “brutality” of the crime suggested he may have killed before.
Trial Attorney Mercedes Colwin told The Dr. Phil Show suggested that the Kabar knife sheath found at the crime scene may have been left there on purpose, noting that the practice of leaving a personal trail after a murder is not uncommon among murderers.
Colwin, who appeared on the show alongside senior reporter Caitlyn Becker to break down the case, added that it wouldn’t be out of character for a killer “especially when you think you’re smarter than everyone else.” what she said Kohberger does.
Jonathan Gilliam, a former FBI special agent, added that the “viciousness” of the “slaughter” led him to believe it was “highly likely” that Kohberger had committed violent crimes in Idaho before the murders.
“I think he’s most likely been killed before,” he said. “Not four people, but I think he’s probably stalked and possibly killed women before.”