In late December 2022, Bryan was arrested at his parents' — Maryann and Michael's — Pennsylvania home in connection with the murders of four University of Idaho students who were killed the previous month. Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were stabbed to death in the middle of the night at their off-campus residence.

Judge Steven Hippler ordered Kohberger to serve four life sentences without parole for the brutal stabbing deaths of Mogen, Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin early on Nov. 13, 2022. The defendant pleaded guilty early this month, just weeks before his trial was to start, in a deal to avoid the death penalty.