Executive summary: In a shocking leak, newly released crime scene photos from the November 2022 Idaho student murders show the horrific aftermath inside the victims’ home, with blood splattered across rooms and personal belongings, as reported by multiple news outlets within the last 24 hours.
The photos, nearly 3,000 in number, were quietly uploaded by Idaho State Police on Tuesday and quickly removed, but were captured by outlets like the Daily Mail and subsequently reported by TMZ and the New York Post. They reveal the gruesome scene where Bryan Kohberger murdered four University of Idaho students—Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, and Ethan Chapin—in their off-campus house in Moscow on Nov. 13, 2022.
Images depict blood on doors, walls, furniture, mattresses, sheets, and floors, with personal items such as cell phones, laptops, and clothing stained red. One particularly eerie photo shows smeared bloody fingerprints on a nightstand, while others show blood dripping off walls and chaotic bedrooms that look like a bomb went off, according to TMZ.
The release comes months after Kohberger, 31, took a surprise plea deal in July, avoiding the death penalty and receiving four life sentences without parole. He has never explained why he committed the murders, leaving the victims’ families with unanswered questions and ongoing grief.
Kaylee Goncalves’ family responded to the photo release with a heartfelt statement on Facebook, urging the public to treat the content with respect and reminding that ‘murder isn’t entertainment & crime scene photos aren’t content.’ They expressed frustration over being notified only minutes before the images became public.
Additional photos show remnants of a college party, including red Solo cups, beer cans on the staircase, and a beer pong table, highlighting the normal student life that was brutally interrupted. This contrast adds to the tragedy’s impact on the university community and beyond.
Idaho State Police have not provided an explanation for why the photos were leaked or removed, raising concerns about evidence handling and privacy. Previous releases had shown less graphic details, making this batch particularly disturbing and unprecedented.
As Kohberger serves his sentence at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, the families continue to pursue legal actions, such as wrongful death lawsuits against Washington State University, where Kohberger was a student. The photo leak may prompt further discussions on media ethics and the balance between public interest and sensitivity towards victims.
This event underscores the lasting trauma of the Idaho murders and the importance of responsible journalism in covering such sensitive cases. With the photos now in the public domain, they serve as a grim reminder of the violence that shattered four young lives.
