In a recent two-part “Dr. Phil” special, experts believed that the perpetrator of the Idaho killer may have left a “calling card” and “most likely” had killed before.
Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, were stabbed to death in the early morning hours of November 13 in Moscow, Idaho. Bryan Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at neighboring Washington State University, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and criminal burglary in connection with the quadruple killing.
An empty tan leather knife sheath was discovered near the bodies of two killed by the University of Idaho students, but the murder weapon has yet to be located, generating conjecture among the “Dr. Phil” expert panel.
Former FBI special agent Jonathan Gilliam proposed the following theory: “I believe they will discover the knife. I believe the knife may be located because, like the automobile and these other items, I believe they are part of his working gear. For me, it’s no different than a go-bag.”
When asked, trial counsel Mercedes Colwin argued that the sheath may have been purposefully placed at the crime scene.
“I mean, it’s almost as if – and we’ve seen this with other murders, it’s their calling card, ‘I got this,'” says one. She stated. “Especially if you believe you’re smarter than everyone else, and he obviously – he had gloves, at least that’s what’s assumed. He attempted to disguise himself, and did something to dispose of the garments; if he is the murderer, of course, this may just be a calling card that he left behind.”
She went on to say, “I don’t believe this probe will go eternally. I believe Jonathan is correct; we will most likely discover the knife.”
The panel also speculated that this was not Kohberger’s first murder, making him a serial murderer.
“If he’s the person, do you believe this was his first murder?” Dr. Phil asked forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan about the suspect.
“Murder? Possibly. Is this a bad act? No, “Morgan responded.
Gilliam expressed his suspicion that the culprit had previously been killed.
“I think he’s probably killed before,” he said, speculating that it may have been in a similar manner. “Not four people, but I think he’s certainly stalked and perhaps killed girls before,” he said.
“If he’s the killer, this viciousness, cruelty, and slaughtering of these four persons, I can’t think this is the first time,” Colwin added.