Newly released internal communications reveal a crucial timeline detail in the investigation of Bryan Kohberger, the man responsible for the tragic deaths of four University of Idaho students. Emails from Washington State University police show officers located Kohberger’s vehicle weeks before he was officially named a suspect.
On November 28, 2022, Officer Daniel Tiengo and Sergeant Curtis James Whitman successfully tracked down a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra – the very car linked to the murders – a mere 16 hours after receiving information about the vehicle. This discovery occurred earlier than previously stated in the arrest warrant affidavit.
Then-Washington State University Police Chief Gary Jenkins, in an email to his staff on January 5, 2023, highlighted the discrepancy. The affidavit indicated a request for law enforcement to be on the lookout for the car was issued on November 25th, but Jenkins’ email clarifies that request didn’t come until November 28th.
Jenkins’ message, sent shortly after the affidavit became public, was a clear expression of pride in his officers’ swift action. He specifically praised Tiengo and Whitman for their diligent work in identifying the vehicle so quickly.
The emails also reveal a cautious directive from Moscow Police Department Lead Detective Corporal Brett Payne, issued on November 27, 2022. Payne instructed other law enforcement agencies not to stop the white Hyundai Elantra unless faced with a life-or-death emergency.
The tragic events unfolded on November 13, 2022, when Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves were found murdered at a house near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow. The case gripped the nation as investigators worked to uncover the truth.
Bryan Kohberger ultimately pleaded guilty to the four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary on July 2, 2025. In exchange for avoiding the death penalty, he will spend the rest of his life in prison, serving four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
These newly released emails offer a deeper understanding of the investigative process and the critical steps taken to bring a suspect to justice, showcasing the dedication and precision of the officers involved in this harrowing case.
