In a chilling twist, Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the University of Idaho murders, has been linked to the case of a missing woman from Pennsylvania, whose remains were discovered after amateur detectives took an interest in her disappearance. The body of 45-year-old Dana Smithers was found late last month, nearly a year after she vanished in May 2022.
Smithers was last seen leaving a friend’s home in Monroe County, the same area where Kohberger resided before relocating to Washington State University. The connection between the two cases came to light when Smithers’ sister, Stacey Anne, shared that online sleuths had reached out to her with potential leads. In a heartfelt post on January 2, she expressed gratitude to those who contacted her about Kohberger’s presence in the area around the time of her sister’s disappearance.
Following the tips from these amateur detectives, local law enforcement discovered Smithers’ remains in a wooded area of Stroudsburg on April 27, just about 30 miles from Kohberger’s family home. While the cause of death has yet to be determined, police are actively exploring any possible links between Kohberger and Smithers’ case. Reports indicate that Kohberger’s parents were recently summoned to testify before a Pennsylvania grand jury regarding the investigation.
However, a source close to the situation has suggested that Kohberger possesses a strong alibi and has not been named a suspect in Smithers’ death. This development unfolds as Kohberger recently appeared in court in Moscow, Idaho, facing multiple murder charges related to the tragic deaths of four University of Idaho students, who were fatally stabbed in their home on November 13, 2022.
During the court proceedings, Kohberger remained silent when asked to enter a plea regarding the five-count indictment involving victims Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle. A judge subsequently entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Kohberger is currently held at the Latah County Jail, with his trial set to commence on October 2.
As the investigation into Smithers’ disappearance continues to unfold, many are left wondering what connections, if any, exist between these two tragic cases.
