Newly Uncovered 911 Call and Text Messages from Idaho Murders’ Surviving Roommates Unveil Chilling Moments of Panic

Newly released text messages shed light on the moments leading up to the tragic murder of four University of Idaho students in November 2022. The messages came from two surviving roommates who were in the house during the time of the killings.

The students—Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were found dead in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, a small college town. No signs indicated forced entry, complicating the investigation in a community that was already on edge.

One roommate, Dylan Mortensen, expressed her panic to the other roommate, Bethany Funke, in a text sent to her early in the morning. Mortensen reported seeing a masked figure in their home, which she described as wearing black and resembling a ski mask. Their messages illustrate the confusion and fear they felt in those crucial hours.

At around 4 a.m., Mortensen tried to reach out to the other roommates, but received no response. Just minutes later, she texted Funke, saying, “No one is answering” and “I’m really confused rn.” Funke replied with shared concern, indicating they were both frightened.

Their texts occurred shortly before they discovered Kernodle unconscious in the morning. Just over an hour later, the roommates called 911, frantic and struggling to communicate their address. They reported seeing a man in the house the night before and described the chaotic scene they encountered.

Nearly two months after the murders, Bryan Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania on charges related to the killings. He was a graduate student in criminal justice and lived nearby in Washington state. Kohberger pleaded not guilty and faces severe penalties, including possible death if convicted.

As the trial approaches, text messages from Mortensen and Funke are crucial to the prosecution’s case, highlighting the timeline of that fateful night. The defense has raised questions about the reliability of the evidence, suggesting inconsistencies in the roommates’ accounts and advocating against the death penalty based on their inability to review all necessary information before the trial.

In recent filings, Kohberger’s defense has pointed to his mental health, suggesting a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and they argue that the complexities of the case make the death penalty unjustifiable. However, the prosecution believes their evidence, including DNA analysis from a knife sheath left at the scene, strongly connects Kohberger to the crime.

This ongoing case has captivated the public and raised numerous questions about safety in small communities, criminal justice, and the impact of such violent crimes on friends and families.