The mother of convicted killer Bryan Kohberger described him as her “angel” and told investigators they had arrested the wrong person following his capture over the 2022 killings of four University of Idaho students.
Maryann Kohberger was interviewed by three FBI agents after her son was taken into custody during a raid on the family’s Pennsylvania home.
As first reported by TMZ, she told investigators she did not believe her son was capable of the crimes, insisting she would “stake [her] life on it” that he was innocent.
Kohberger was later charged with the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, who were killed in a home near campus.
University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. Photo: Instagram
He subsequently pleaded guilty to carrying out the attacks with a Ka-bar knife while the students slept. Under a plea agreement, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
During the FBI interview, Maryann Kohberger repeatedly referred to her son as her “angel” and said he would never commit such acts, according to transcripts cited in reports. She also suggested investigators had made a “horrible mistake” because she knew her children well.
As reported by TMZ, she also told agents she had previously encouraged her son to buy a knife for protection against potential bear encounters while hiking in the western United States.
Dylan Mortensen gets a hug after speaking at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing. Photo: Kyle Green / AP
It remains unclear whether that advice was connected to the purchase of the weapon later used in the killings.
Maryann Kohberger told investigators her son confided in her more than anyone else in the family, and that they regularly spoke on the phone while he was studying in Idaho, describing their conversations as “mother and son talks,” TMZ reported.
