Idaho Judge Blocks Release of Graphic Crime Scene Photos in Kohberger Case

Sat Oct 11 2025 06:06:33 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a recent ruling, an Idaho judge has prohibited the public release of graphic images related to the murder of four University of Idaho students, emphasizing the need for privacy and sensitivity toward victims' families.

An Idaho judge has decided to restrict the release of disturbing crime scene photos from the Bryan Kohberger case to protect the families of the victims from potential emotional distress. While some evidence will be released to the public, images depicting victims will be blacked out to respect their privacy.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho judge has blocked the public release of certain graphic photos taken during the investigation into the murders of four University of Idaho students by Bryan Kohberger in 2022.

Judge Megan Marshall of the Second District ruled on Wednesday that the distribution of such “incredibly disturbing” images online poses an undue invasion of privacy for the victims' families, who may accidentally encounter these images.

To safeguard their privacy, the judge mandated the city of Moscow to black out portions of images showing the victims' bodies and blood. However, she acknowledged the public's interest in accessing investigatory records, allowing the release of other materials, including videos that capture the emotional reactions of friends discovered at the scene.

In July, Kohberger was sentenced to life without parole for the stabbing murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Ethan Chapin at their Moscow off-campus home.

Family members of Mogen and Chapin, in particular, urged the court to maintain the confidentiality of graphic crime scene images, stating that their release would be invasive and would exacerbate their trauma.

This highly publicized criminal case received extensive media attention, leading to numerous requests for the release of investigatory records. Under Idaho law, such records can be sealed until the investigation concludes.

In response to one of the public records requests post-Kohberger's sentencing, Moscow officials released some photographs and videos, ensuring that the images of the victims were blurred for protection.

Judge Marshall pointed out that "There is little to be gained by the public in seeing the decedents’ bodies," highlighting that these images have already caused significant emotional turmoil for the victims' families.

Ultimately, she expressed that releasing such distressing content could contribute to the ongoing suffering of those who have already endured extreme loss and highlighted the already close of the murder investigation and criminal case as a justification for limiting access to the materials.