Investigation Into Idaho Murderer Brian Coberger’s Past Break-In

Brian Coberger, the convicted murderer from the University of Idaho case, was previously investigated for a late-night armed break-in at a female college student’s home. This incident bears unsettling similarities to the quadruple murder he recently pleaded guilty to, as revealed in newly released documents.

Records from the City of Pullman indicate that officers looked into the October 2021 case, where it was reported that Coberger was seen standing on a bed during the investigation.

A 20-year-old student had a frightening experience in the night when she encountered a man wearing a burgundy ski mask in her bedroom, armed with a knife, according to the reports.

Seemingly unaware that she was awake, the intruder was kicked in the stomach by the startled student, causing him to flee without uttering a word.

Upon learning about the shocking break-in, the student’s roommate called the police after hearing her scream.

This robbery took place more than a year before Coberger’s later crime spree, during which he broke into six off-campus homes in Idaho and fatally attacked three of the residents and their boyfriends.

Police in Pullman began to focus on Coberger as a suspect after leads in the case turned cold, officially identifying him on January 10, 2023.

The details of the Pullman incident are eerily similar to the Idaho murders, which Coberger later confessed to, as both occurred late at night in homes occupied by college students and involved brutal, knife-related violence.

Notably, the ski masks worn by the intruder in Pullman echo those that Coberger used during the Idaho murders.

This break-in occurred eight months prior to Coberger’s enrollment in the criminology program at Washington State University, coinciding with an event hosted by the department.

However, an investigation into Coberger surrounding Idaho’s case was closed shortly after, as school officials reported no record of him attending any events during that time.

Documents also reveal that Coberger had sent a lengthy email to the Pullman Chief of Police regarding his PhD research position after interviewing for it in April 2022, expressing his enthusiasm about the opportunity.

Currently, Coberger is serving four life sentences at a high-security prison for the murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.