Bryan Kohberger Spent Christmas Day After Idaho Murders Downloading Info on More Than 20 Serial Killers (Exclusive)

It was a quiet Christmas night in 2022 for Bryan Kohberger, but instead of unwinding with family or counting presents, authorities say he spent hours deep in the dark corners of his phone—downloading a chilling library of information on more than 20 different serial killers.

According to exclusive findings from digital forensics expert Heather Barnhart, who worked with the Latah County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Kohberger’s browsing activity didn’t stop until well past midnight. While many were still savoring holiday leftovers, the former criminology student was allegedly pulling up detailed files on killers like Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and Danny Rolling.

Barnhart, a SANS Institute Fellow and Senior Director of Forensic Research for Cellebrite, explained that Kohberger made one crucial slip: he cleared his desktop and hard drive of downloads, but forgot to wipe his Android phone. That oversight, she says, revealed the list of names—and the timing.

The downloads reportedly include Betty Lou Beets, Randy Kraft, William Lee, Cody Neal, Joel Rifkin, Altemio Sanchez, Glen Rogers, Cary Stayner, Harvey Glatman, Paul Bernardo, Rodney Alcala, Robert Hansen, Gary Ridgeway, David Parker Ray, Cleophus Prince, and Dennis Rader, among others.

Prosecutors have noted striking similarities between the Idaho murders and the 1990 killings by Danny Rolling, known as the Gainesville Ripper. Both cases involved college students, a sliding glass door entry, and a KA-BAR knife. However, authorities say there is no evidence Kohberger sexually assaulted his victims, which sets him apart from Rolling.

Barnhart also discovered that Kohberger kept tabs on the investigation itself, downloading Moscow Police Department updates nine times between November 26 and December 28, 2022. On December 28 alone, he pulled down four different versions of the update. Three days later, Pennsylvania State Troopers arrested him.

As the case unfolds, Barnhart reflects on the painstaking work her team did to uncover those hidden files. “In the end, everyone makes mistakes,” she said.

What else might still be lurking in the digital shadows of that Christmas night?