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I’ll never understand why people always ramble on about how high school is supposed to be “the most important four years of your life.” Because to me, the most seminal four years are unquestionably when you attend college – it’s that period in a young adult’s life where they truly find themselves, break out of their shell, and form friendships that will last them a lifetime. In college, you learn about what you want out of life. It’s a magical period that’s simply glimmering with hope for the future.
But tragically, for a group of four starry-eyed college students, that glimmer of hope was snatched away from them after they were brutally killed on their off-campus residency at the University of Idaho on November 13, 2022. And now, Prime Video is telling the story in a chilling four-part docuseries on that explores exactly what happened the morning after the murders.
Scroll on for everything you need to know about the “One Night in Idaho: The College Murders" docuseries, streaming on Prime Video now.
The victims were 20-year-old Xana Kernodle, 21-year-old Madison Mogen, 20-year-old Ethan Chapin, and 21-year-old Kaylee Goncalves. The tragedy devastated the loved ones of this sunny group of friends and the greater Idaho community, with everyone wondering: “Why them? What did they ever do to hurt anyone?”
In a state of hurt and confusion, the people closest to the victims began searching for answers. Some started pointing fingers, blaming boyfriends and suspicious classmates who could have been responsible. But as it turns out, the group of students had been stalked for months by their murderer without the four of them having a single clue.
Stacy Chapin (Ethan Chapin’s mother)
Courtesy of Prime Video
Still, what led up to this tragic situation? What twisted motive did the killer have that led him to take the lives of four innocent people? And what do the family and loved ones have to say regarding the murders that took place in one of the safest, most unsuspecting Idaho towns?
You can find out the answers to these burning questions in Prime Video’s docuseries, “One Night in Idaho: The College Murders,” directed by Liz Garbus and Matthew Galkin. The series features the friends and family members of the victims, as well as exclusive interviews with the parents of Ethan Chapin, Stacey and Jim Chapin, and the parents of Madison Mogen, Karen and Scott Laramie.
“We just thought it was best to tell our story of Ethan, just one time,” Ethan’s mother told Good Morning America. “He deserves it… He deserves our story of him.”
Prime Video / YouTube
It took the police over a month to arrest Bryan Kohberger, who was ultimately connected to the crime via DNA found on a knife sheath. Additionally, his location was traced through his cell phone, and surveillance footage showed a vehicle driving away from the murder scene that matched Bryan’s car’s make and model.
He was later charged with four murder counts and one felony burglary count, and Bryan’s trial was initially supposed to take place one month after Prime Video’s latest docuseries premiered on July 11. Yet, on July 2, Bryan (who was previously a criminal justice doctoral student) confessed to the crimes in court and entered a guilty plea as part of a plea deal.
The deal has allowed Bryan to evade the death penalty. However, he could still face up to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, as well as 10 years due to the burglary charge.
Bryan’s sentencing has since been set for July 23, and victim impact statements will be read the same day.
Prime Video / YouTube
All four parts of the “One Night in Idaho: The College Murders" docuseries are now available to watch on Prime Video.
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