Lifetime has begun production on a film starring Miles Merry, focusing on the story of Bryan Kohberger and the 2022 Idaho murders. The movie, working title ‘The Idaho Murders,’ will depict the confessed killings of four University of Idaho students, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.
Merry, who has previously appeared in true-crime films such as ‘Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story’ and ‘Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez,’ will take on the role of Kohberger. The film’s production is set to start this month, following the events of the November 13, 2022, killings.
Kohberger was sentenced to life without parole in July 2024 for the murders, as well, he received a 10-year sentence for burglary and was assessed $270,000 in fines and civil penalties. His guilty plea came weeks before his case was set to go to trial, avoiding the death penalty.
During his sentencing, Kohberger provided no explanation for the killings, simply stating, ‘I respectfully decline’ when asked to speak. The crime shocked the city of Moscow, Idaho, which had not experienced a homicide in about five years. It led to a massive search for the killer and caused some students to take online classes due to feelings of insecurity.
Kohberger, a graduate student in criminology at Washington State University, was arrested in Pennsylvania, where his parents lived. Investigators were able to link his DNA to a knife sheath found at the scene, though the murder weapon was never recovered. The lack of clear evidence and the connection between Kohberger and the victims remain a subject of ongoing inquiry.
Kohberger’s mother and sister attended the sentencing, with his mother quietly weeping during the proceedings. The trial also saw the other families of the victims express their grief, highlighting the profound impact of the crime on the community and the personal lives of those involved.