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The families of four University of Idaho students, tragically murdered, have initiated legal action against Washington State University, where Bryan Kohberger, the convicted killer, was enrolled during the time of the crimes.
The lawsuit was officially filed on Wednesday in Skagit County, Washington, and involves the families of the victims: Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves.
As reported by The New York Times, the lawsuit accuses Washington State University administrators of failing to address complaints regarding Kohberger’s alleged harassment of female students. The university’s inaction is a central claim in the legal proceedings.
At the time of these tragic events, Kohberger was associated with the university as a teaching assistant while pursuing his studies in criminology. The lawsuit describes him as having “developed a reputation for discriminatory, harassing, and stalking behavior” during his tenure there.
The families contend that the university’s failure to intervene constitutes a breach of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, Title IX is in place, in part, to prevent sex-based harassment and sexual violence.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, interviews with faculty and students at Washington State — about 10 miles from Moscow, Idaho, where the murders took place — revealed that at least nine complaints about Kohberger’s behavior were filed with the university.
One of the complaints led to “mandatory training class for all graduate students regarding behavior expectations,” according to court documents.
A professor who took note of Kohberger’s “highly problematic” behavior discussed with other colleagues whether to stop Kohberger’s funding, court documents stated.
Kohberger reportedly wanted to become a teacher himself one day, but the professor stated, “the guy that in that many years when he is a professor, we will hear is harassing, stalking, and sexually abusing of his, I thought it would be his, you know, his students at wherever university he ended.”
Court documents indicated that another WSU graduate student told investigators that Kohberger once “blocked her exit” when she tried to leave a discussion after class.
The same student said Kohberger’s demeanor changed after the murders — he appeared more disheveled and stopped bringing his phone to class, instead appearing with a laptop.
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In 2025, District Judge Steven Hippler sentenced Kohberger to four consecutive life sentences for the November 2022 murders.
All four victims were found fatally stabbed inside a now-demolished rental home off of King Road.
Kohberger also received a 10-year sentence for burglary, following a plea deal that took the death penalty off the table.
“The victims’ families have come together with a shared purpose to seek transparency, accountability, and meaningful reform,” attorneys for the families said in a statement.
“This effort is not about vengeance or speculation. This is about ensuring that institutions entrusted with the safety of young people take threats seriously and act decisively when warning signs are present.”
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Left, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves and right, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle/Instagram]
