Bryan Kohberger’s sister is opening up more than three years after his slayings of the Idaho college students.
In an interview with the New York Times published on Saturday, Melissa “Mel” Kohberger, who has largely kept quiet in the years since her brother murdered Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, opened up about how the situation has affected her.
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While reflecting on learning of the murders on November 13, 2022, Mel recalled texting Bryan to warn him:
“Bryan, you are running outside and this psycho killer is on the loose.”
In response, she said he assured her he’d be safe and thanked her for her worry. Little did she know he was the murderer… how eerie.
Elsewhere in her interview, Mel admitted her brother had always been awkward and sometimes abrasive, but never violent. She specifically cited a memory of him holding her hands down in attempt to diffuse a fight between them. Mel went on to claim their parents Maryann and Michael raised her, Bryan, and their sister Amanda to be independent and accommodating of others’ needs.
The night police arrested Bryan by breaking into their parents’ Pennsylvania home, Mel said she learned about the situation from their sister — and initially thought it was some sort of prank. But quickly became nauseated when she realized it wasn’t:
“She was like, ‘I’m with the FBI, Bryan’s been arrested. I was like, ‘For what?’”
What a crazy phone call.
Mel went on to reflect on her family becoming the subject of national attention, particularly with the rise of “true crime culture.” When Bryan was arrested, Mel was in the middle of training to become a mental health counselor, but agreed to leave her position after her employer became flooded with questions from true crime buffs wanting answers. She even recalled someone publishing a book under the name “Melissa J. Kohberger” seemingly in an attempt to capitalize on the family’s likeness. And on top of all that, internet sleuths dug up footage from a 2011 acting role of Amanda’s, which featured stabbings.
Mel described the whole situation as “confusing” and “painful.”
“It’s like being victimized but not really being a victim.”
She went on to express regret over her own former fascination with true crime and advocate for more empathy for the families of victims:
“It’s human nature to be curious about darker things. That’s how we keep ourselves safe. But I think we should try and come together for a true crime culture that is way more protective and empathetic to the families of the victims.”
Elsewhere, Mel used her interview with the NYT to shut down theories that the entire Kohberger family knew Bryan was the murderer all along:
“I have always been a person who has spoken up for what was right. If I ever had a reason to believe my brother did anything, I would have turned him in.”
Prior to the brutal slayings of the college students, Mel claimed she and her family were all very proud of Bryan for becoming a doctoral candidate in the criminology program at Washington State University after suffering bullying — and even a heroin addiction — earlier in his life:
“We were all so proud of him because he had overcome so much.”
Melissa claimed that at one point in his life, he stole her phone in order to sell it so he could have money to buy drugs. She said that at the time, their parents called the police on Bryan and feared he’d spiral down a dark path leading to early death, but he went through treatment and got back on track.
Whoa!
Later, Mel opened up about how the Kohberger family is navigating life now in the wake of Bryan’s admission of guilt and sentencing to four lifetimes in prison without the possibility of parole. They apparently feel sad — particularly throughout the holiday season — that he’s not around, but their own grief is quickly overshadowed when they think about what the victims’ families must be going through:
“The idea is making me so emotional that I can barely speak to you about it.”
What are your reactions to Mel’s interview? Be sure to let us know in the comments down below.
For resources on mental health, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help
If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse, help is available. Consider checking out the resources SAMHSA provides at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or check out StartYourRecovery.org
If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, resources are available. Consider checking out https://www.stopbullying.gov/ or texting https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/bullying/
[Images via MEGA/WENN]
