Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary and was sentenced to life in prison, according to major media reports. The digital evidence helped show the killings were premeditated and bolstered DNA evidence from a knife sheath, digital forensics experts said. Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022, after DNA on a knife sheath clasp led police to him.
FBI agent Jeff Tanzola and digital forensics experts reported that Bryan Kohberger attempted to wipe clean his online life by deleting data from his phone and laptop. According to Tanzola, Kohberger's digital devices showed missing data including text messages, Google searches, buffer logs, privacy dashboards, battery stats, and usage. Digital forensics expert Jared Barnhart stated that Kohberger's phone was intentionally powered off and back on two hours later on the night of the murders. Tanzola noted that the evidence was not readily apparent, unlike typical cases.
He didn’t just lose signal or run out of battery. This was an actual button press, power off, on purpose, and then a power back two hours later. And in the middle of that, four people were killed.
Kohberger switched his Pennsylvania license plates to Washington plates at a DMV in Pullman on November 18, 2022. Prosecutors said the Washington plates made it more difficult for police to track Kohberger's white Hyundai Elantra. Cellphone data placed Kohberger near the victims' home at least 23 times between July 2022 and the murders, prosecutors reported.
Kohberger's trial was slated for August 2025 in Boise, Idaho, but never occurred due to his guilty plea. Key unknowns remain, including Kohberger's motive for the murders and what specific digital tracks he failed to cover up.