Recently disclosed internal emails from Washington State University (WSU) shed light on how campus police were monitoring Brian Koberger’s vehicle prior to his identification as a suspect in the murders of four college students in Idaho.
In a communication directed to the WSU Police Department officials, former Chief Gary Jenkins detailed how Officers Daniel Tiengo and Curtis James Whitman tracked down Koberger’s white 2015 Hyundai Elantra on November 28, 2022, just hours after being alerted to the potential suspect vehicle.
Koberger was taken into custody on December 30, 2022.
Jenkins mentioned in a follow-up email on January 5, 2023, that the timeline for locating the Hyundai was more precise than what was indicated in the arrest warrant affidavit.
He pointed out, “The affidavit claims local law enforcement was asked to look for the suspect vehicle on November 25, 2022, but that request actually came in the morning of November 28.” This message came shortly after the affidavit was made public on December 29, 2022, wherein he commended the officers for swiftly identifying Koberger’s car.
In Jenkins’ email, he noted, “As you’re likely aware, the arrest warrant affidavit just came out today. It highlights the excellent work done by Officer Tiengo and Officer Whitman in chasing what they believed to be the suspect vehicle, which turned out to be correct.” He emphasized the importance of reshaping perceptions of the WSU Police Department, saying past issues shouldn’t define them and commending the work of Tiengo and Whitman for enhancing the department’s reputation nationally.
The email surfaced through a public records request to the university.
Key Events on November 13, 2022:
- 4 a.m.: Suspect arrives at the scene
- 4:00-4:17 a.m.: Time of the murders
- 4:19 a.m.: Roommate attempts to call the victims; no response
- 4:22-4:24 a.m.: Remaining roommates text each other
- 4:27 a.m.: Another call to the victims remains unanswered
- 4:32 a.m.: Roommate texts Gonsalves urging a response
- 10:23 a.m.: Surviving roommate sends another text; still no reply
- 11:39 a.m.: Roommate contacts father
- 12:00 p.m.: Roommate calls 911.
In a different email from November 27, 2022, Corporal Brett Payne, who was the chief detective at the Moscow Police Department, instructed local law enforcement to avoid stopping the 2015 Hyundai Elantra except in a life-or-death situation.
Koberger later pleaded guilty to murdering Ethan Chapin, Madison Morgen, Zana Kernodle, and Kaylee Gonsalves in a plea agreement on July 2, 2025, which spared him from the death penalty. The four students were found deceased at their home in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022.
As part of the agreement, Koberger will serve consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony robbery.
