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Idaho prosecutor Bill Thompson has mentioned that there is a possibility that Bryan Kohberger may have used a second weapon during the tragic murders of four University of Idaho students. He also believes that the killer spared survivor Dylan Mortensen because he panicked and fled the scene, according to an interview with the Idaho Statesman.
Thompson stated that certain injuries observed on victim Kaylee Goncalves, 21, seemed to have been caused by something other than the knife used in the attack, although he did not confirm the presence of a second weapon.
“There were injuries that seemed to indicate the involvement of another weapon apart from the knife, but it could also have been caused by the knife itself,” Thompson shared with the Statesman. “We cannot rule out the possibility of an additional weapon being used.”
Court documents revealed the severity of the November 2022 attack on Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Goncalves, as per recently released Moscow Police Department documents, suffered “more than 20 stab wounds,” along with blunt-force trauma.
Prosecutor Bill Thompson speaking at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (Kyle Green/AP Photo, Pool)
Regarding the reason why Mortensen, a surviving roommate, was left unharmed even though he encountered Kohberger as he escaped through the rental property’s sliding door, Thompson suggested that Kohberger may have panicked.
“Based on Dylan’s description, it is hard to believe that the killer did not see him,” Thompson explained. “At that point, the killer had been in the house longer than planned and had committed more murders than intended. It is possible that the killer was scared at that moment and decided to flee, uncertain if law enforcement had been alerted.”
Prosecutors allege that Bryan Kohberger took this selfie photo at 10:31 a.m. on November 13, 2022 – roughly six hours after the murders of four University of Idaho students. (Ada County Court)
Mortensen informed authorities that she had seen an intruder with “bushy eyebrows” on the night of the attack at 1122 King Road in Moscow, who had claimed to be “here to help.”
Former Moscow Police Department chief James Fry mentioned to ABC News that there are various theories as to why Mortensen survived, including the possibility that Kohberger was exhausted from the quadruple murders.
“I do not have the answer, only he knows,” Fry stated to the outlet.
WATCH: Attorney discusses how inmates might react to Kohberger’s crimes
Thompson also highlighted the significant role played by DNA evidence in solving the case.
“From the prosecution’s perspective, the DNA evidence was crucial in strengthening the case for trial,” he remarked. “Without the DNA linking Kohberger to the knife sheath, obtaining a conviction might have been extremely challenging.”
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The Latah County Prosecutor’s Office has been contacted by Fox News Digital for comment.
