As digital forensics experts carefully examined the cellphone of Bryan Kohberger, the 30-year-old convicted murderer, they uncovered alarming patterns of narcissistic behavior. The experts, including Heather Barnhart, senior director of forensics research at Cellebrite, noted that Kohberger took selfies that mirrored the character of Patrick Bateman from ‘American Psycho,’ flexing his muscles in front of a mirror. Barnhart described Kohberger’s behavior as narcissistic and strange, emphasizing his self-obsession.
Heather Barnhart’s husband, Jared, a former Maryland police officer, also worked on the case. They found that Kohberger took photos from bizarre angles, focusing on his body, and that he didn’t share these selfies with others. Instead, the images remained in his phone, suggesting a deep self-absorption that was alarming. The Barnharts noted that Kohberger’s digital habits were a key part of the case, as he tried to minimize his digital footprint but could not entirely erase his digital presence. His search history, including terms like ‘psychopath’ and ‘serial killers,’ further pointed to his fascination with crime, even as he claimed to be studying it academically.
Kohberger’s actions leading up to the crimes were equally concerning. After a news report linked a white Hyundai Elantra to the murders, he panicked and searched for car detailers and replacement vehicles. This, along with his excessive time spent watching videos on YouTube and TikTok, added to the digital trail. His laptop was wiped clean before the murders, but the couple found additional damning evidence like his search for serial killer profiles. This suggests he was not just studying criminology but was possibly emulating the very crimes he was researching, raising unsettling questions about his motives.
The Barnharts emphasized that despite their efforts to uncover a motive, the case remained shrouded in mystery.