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Law enforcement officials in Idaho have refuted the claims made in a TV special episode about Bryan Kohberger’s quadruple murder case, stating that the episode contained “gross inaccuracies” and “complete falsehoods.”
Kohberger admitted guilt in July for the deaths of University of Idaho students Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, and Ethan Chapin in November 2022. He also pleaded guilty to one felony count of burglary.
Bryan Kohberger was handed four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders and burglary. Following the sentencing, the gag order preventing anyone involved in the case from speaking to the media was lifted.
In a special episode that aired in May, NBC’s “Dateline” presented new information related to the Kohberger case that had not been previously disclosed.
FBI data obtained by “Dateline” showed that Kohberger’s cellphone pinged a tower near the location where the Idaho students were killed multiple times in the months leading up to the murders.
The TV special also suggested that Kohberger’s cellphone was in close proximity to the victims’ home on several occasions, including the night of the murders.
However, Idaho State Police Lt. Darren Gilbertson, a lead investigator on the case, stated that there were errors and falsehoods in the “Dateline” episode.
Gilbertson clarified some of the inaccuracies mentioned in the episode, including details about the wounds on one of the victims and Kohberger’s actions during the incident.
Despite the inaccuracies, Gilbertson acknowledged that certain aspects of the episode were correct, such as Kohberger’s internet search history.
A special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate the leaks related to the case, as confirmed by Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson.
An NBC spokesperson defended the network’s reporting when contacted by the Idaho Statesman.
