A new book by crime novelist James Patterson and investigative journalist Vicky Ward, ‘The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy,’ has unveiled previously undisclosed details about the life and crimes of Bryan Kohberger, the 30-year-old man accused of murdering four Idaho college students. The book explores how Kohberger’s history of home invasions and burglaries, driven by a teenage heroin addiction, laid the foundation for the deadly crimes that would later unfold in Moscow, Idaho. Patterson and Ward’s work delves into Kohberger’s early life in Pennsylvania, where he was already breaking into homes to fund his drug habit, a pattern that would later culminate in the murder of four students at an off-campus rental home.
Kohberger’s criminal history includes a 2014 conviction for stealing his sister’s iPhone after a stint in rehab to pay for his heroin addiction. This case, which was later expunged, is presented by the book as part of a broader pattern of criminal behavior that preceded his more severe crimes. The authors also highlight the emotional and psychological manipulation Kohberger displayed in his interactions with others, including a victim named Connie Saba, who unknowingly provided him with access to her home. The book describes how Kohberger, who had virtually no friends, was able to exploit the trust of individuals like Saba, even after apologizing for his break-in by appearing in her kitchen like a ghost, an act that unsettled her and foreshadowed his methodical approach to the murders.
The book details how Kohberger meticulously planned the attacks, casing the off-campus rental home at 1122 King Road for over a dozen times before the murders. According to court documents, he used the vantage point provided by the location’s position on a slope to observe multiple windows, including those of 21-year-old victim Madison Mogen’s bedroom. The authors also reveal that Kohberger had cut ties with Washington State University, where he was studying criminology and had faced academic and interpersonal conflicts. His arrest and subsequent guilt plea have further complicated the narrative of his academic career, with the university stating that it had severed all ties with him following the incident.
Patterson and Ward’s book brings together insights from over 300 interviews, as well as public documents, to create a comprehensive account of Kohberger’s life, his criminal activities, and the psychological depth of his crimes. The authors emphasize the chilling aspect of the crime, noting how Kohberger’s actions were the result of a combination of personal struggles, financial need, and a calculated approach to crime. While the book does not offer any direct insight into the victims’ lives or the community’s reaction to the tragedy, it sheds light on the systematic and methodical nature of Kohberger’s crimes, drawing attention to the broader issue of criminal behavior, psychological manipulation, and the impact of substance abuse on personal decision-making.