Probable Cause Affidavit (PCA)

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PDF Probable Cause Affidavit (PCA)Affidavit Exhibit A Statement of Brett Payne
agency_release Document Idaho 4

Named in this document

  • Bryan Kohberger Person
  • Moscow, ID Location
  • Washington Location
  • Kaylee Goncalves Person
  • Corbin Smith Person
  • Pennsylvania Location
  • Ethan Chapin Person
  • Maddie Mogen Person
  • Washington State University (WSU) Organization
  • Xana Kernodle Person
  • Albrightsville, PA Location
  • Brett Payne Person
  • 500 Queen Rd Location
  • Clarkston, WA Location
  • Stadium Way, Pullman Location
  • 1122 King Rd Location
  • Cougar Way, Pullman Location
  • Curtis Whitman Person
  • Jack DuCoeur Person
  • Walenta Dr, Moscow Location

The 20 most-mentioned. The full list is in the case file.

NEEND CLRK

DEC

OF 29

CL29-22-2805 DIST 2022

Exhibit A Statement of Brett Payne CT PK2
VEPLTY.

LATAH: 52

The below information is provided by Brett Payne, who is a duly appointed, qualified and acting peace officer within the County of Latah, State of Idaho. Brett Payne is employed by Moscow Police Department in the official capacity or position of Corporal (CPL) and has been a trained and qualified peace officer for approximately four (4) years. CPL Payne is being assisted by members of the Idaho State Police and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On November 13, 2022, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Moscow Police Department (MPD) Sergeant Blaker and I responded to 1122 King Road, Moscow, Idaho, hereafter the " King Road Residence, " to assist with scene security and processing of a crime scene associated with four homicides. Upon our arrival, the Idaho State Police (ISP) Forensic Team was on scene and was preparing to begin processing the scene. MPD Officer (OFC) Smith, one of the initial responding officers to the incident, advised he would walk me through the scene.

OFC Smith and I entered the King Road Residence through the bottom floor door on the north side of the building. OFC Smith and I then walked upstairs to the second floor. OFC Smith directed me down the hallway to the west bedroom on the second floor, which I later learned (through Xana's driver's license and other personal belongings found in the room) was Xana Kernodle's, hereafter " Kernodle " room. Just before this room there was a bathroom door on the south wall of the hallway. As I approached the room, I could see a body, later identified as Kernodle's, laying on the floor. Kernodle was deceased with wounds which appeared to have been caused by an edged weapon.

Also in the room was a male, later identified as Ethan Chapin, hereafter, " Chapin ".

Chapin was also deceased with wounds later determined (Autopsy Report provided by Spokane 1
REDACTED

County Medical Examiner dated December 15, 2022) to be caused by " sharp-force injuries. " I then followed OFC Smith upstairs to the third floor of the residence. The third floor consisted of two bedrooms and one bathroom. The bedroom on the west side of the floor was later determined to be Kaylee Goncalves, hereafter " Goncalves, " room. I later learned (from review of Officer Nunes ' body camera) there was a dog in the room when Moscow Police Officers initially responded. The dog belonged to Goncalves and her ex-boyfriend Jack Ducoeur.

I found out from my interview with Jack Ducouer on November 13, 2022 that he and Goncalves shared the dog. OFC Smith then pointed out a small bathroom on the east side of the third floor.

This bathroom shared a wall with Madison Mogen's, hereafter " Mogen " bedroom which was situated on the southeast corner of the third floor.

As I entered this bedroom, I could see two females in the single bed in the room. Both Goncalves and Mogen were deceased with visible stab wounds. I also later noticed what appeared to be a tan leather knife sheath laying on the bed next to Mogen's right side (when viewed from the door). The sheath was later processed and had " Ka-Bar " " USMC " and the United States Marine Corps eagle globe and anchor insignia stamped on the outside of it. The Idaho State Lab later located a single source of male DNA (Suspect Profile) left on the button snap of the knife sheath.

As part of the investigation, numerous interviews were conducted by Moscow Police Department Officers, Idaho State Police Detectives, and FBI Agents. Two of the interviews included B.F., and D.M. Both B.F. and D.M. were inside the King Road Residence at the time of the homicides and were roommates to the victims. B.F.'s bedroom was located on the east side of the first floor of the King Road Residence.

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Based on numerous interviews conducted by MPD Officers, ISP Detectives, and FBI Agents as well as my review of evidence, I have learned the following:
On the evening of November 12, 2022, Chapin and Kernodle are seen by B.F. at the Sigma Chi house on the University of Idaho campus at 735 Nez Perce Drive from approximately
9:00 p.m. on November 12 to 1:45 a.m. on November 13. B.F. also estimated that at approximately, 1:45 a.m. Chapin and Kernodle returned to the King Road Residence. B.F. also stated that Chapin did not live in the King Road Residence but was a guest of Kernodle.

Goncalves and Mogen were at a local bar, the Corner Club at 202 N. Main Street, in Moscow. Goncalves and Mogen can be seen on video footage provided by the Corner Club between 10:00 p.m. on November 12 and 1:30 a.m. on November 13th. At approximately 1:30 a.m. Goncalves and Mogen can be seen on video at a local food vendor called the " Grub Truck " at 318 S. Main Street in downtown Moscow. The Grub Truck live streams video from their food truck on the streaming platform Twitch which is available for public viewing on their website.

This video was captured by law enforcement. A private party reported that he provided a ride to Goncalves and Mogen at approximately 1:56 a.m. from downtown Moscow (in front of the Grub Truck) to the King Road Residence.

D.M. and B.F. both made statements during interviews that indicated the occupants of the King Road Residence were at home by 2:00 a.m. and asleep or at least in their rooms by approximately 4:00 a.m. This is with the exception of Kernodle, who received a DoorDash order at the residence at approximately 4:00 a.m. (law enforcement identified the DoorDash delivery driver who reported this information).

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D.M. stated she originally went to sleep in her bedroom on the southeast side of the second floor. D.M. stated she was awoken at approximately 4:00 a.m. by what she stated sounded like Goncalves playing with her dog in one of the upstairs bedrooms, which were located on the third floor. A short time later, D.M. said she heard who she thought was Goncalves say something to the effect of " there's someone here. " A review of records obtained from a forensic download of Kernodle's phone showed this could also have been Kernodle as her cellular phone indicated she was likely awake and using the TikTok app at approximately 4:12 a.m.

D.M. stated she looked out of her bedroom but did not see anything when she heard the comment about someone being in the house. D.M. stated she opened her door a second time when she heard what she thought was crying coming from Kernodle's room. D.M. then said she heard a male voice say something to the effect of " it's ok, I'm going to help you. " At approximately 4:17 a.m., a security camera located at 1112 King Road, a residence immediately to the northwest of 1122 King Road, picked up distorted audio of what sounded like voices or a whimper followed by a loud thud. A dog can also be heard barking numerous times starting at 4:17 a.m. The security camera is less than fifty feet from the west wall of Kernodle's bedroom.

D.M. stated she opened her door for the third time after she heard the crying and saw a figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the person's mouth and nose walking towards her. D.M. described the figure as 5'10 " or taller, male, not very muscular, but athletically built with bushy eyebrows. The male walked past D.M. as she stood in a " frozen shock phase. " The male walked towards the back sliding glass door. D.M. locked herself in her 4

room after seeing the male. D.M. did not state that she recognized the male. This leads investigators to believe that the murderer left the scene.

The combination of D.M.'s statements to law enforcement, reviews of forensic downloads of records from B.F. and D.M.'s phone, and video of a suspect video as described below leads investigators to believe the homicides occurred between 4:00 a.m. and 4:25 a.m.

During the processing of the crime scene, investigators found a latent shoe print. This was located during the second processing of the crime scene by the ISP Forensic Team by first using a presumptive blood test and then Amino Black, a protein stain that detects the presence of cellular material. The detected shoe print showed a diamond-shaped pattern (similar to the pattern of a Vans type shoe sole) just outside the door of D.M.'s bedroom (located on second floor). This is consistent with D.M.'s statement regarding the suspect's path of travel.

As part of the investigation, an extensive search, commonly referred to in law enforcement as a " video canvass, " was conducted in the area of the King Road Residence. This video canvass was to obtain any footage from the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, in the area of the King Road Residence and surrounding neighborhoods in an effort to locate the suspect (s) or suspect vehicle (s) traveling to or leaving from the King Road Residence. This video canvass resulted in the collection of numerous surveillance videos in the area from both residential and business addresses. I have reviewed numerous videos that were collected and have had conversations with the other MPD Officers, ISP Detectives, and FBI Agents that are similarly reviewing footage that was obtained.

A review of camera footage indicated that a white sedan, hereafter " Suspect Vehicle 1 ", was observed traveling westbound in the 700 block of Indian Hills Drive in Moscow at 5

approximately 3:26 a.m and westbound on Styner Avenue at Idaho State Highway 95 in Moscow at approximately 3:28 a.m. On this video, it appeared Suspect Vehicle 1 was not displaying a front license plate.

A review of footage from multiple videos obtained from the King Road Neighborhood showed multiple sightings of Suspect Vehicle 1 starting at 3:29 a.m. and ending at 4:20 a.m.

These sightings show Suspect Vehicle 1 makes an initial three passes by the 1122 King Road residence and then leave via Walenta Drive. Based off of my experience as a Patrol Officer this is a residential neighborhood with a very limited number of vehicles that travel in the area during the early morning hours. Upon review of the video there are only a few cars that enter and exit this area during this time frame.

Suspect Vehicle 1 can be seen entering the area a fourth time a approximately 4:04 a.m. It can be seen driving eastbound on King Road, stopping and turning around in front of 500 Queen Road # 52 and then driving back westbound on King Road. When Suspect Vehicle 1 is in front of the King Road Residence, it appeared to unsuccessfully attempt to park or turn around in the road. The vehicle then continued to the intersection of Queen Road and King Road where it can be seen completing a three-point turn and then driving eastbound again down Queen Road.

Suspect Vehicle 1 is next seen departing the area of the King Road Residence at approximately 4:20 a.m. at a high rate of speed. Suspect Vehicle 1 is next observed traveling southbound on Walenta Drive. Based on my knowledge of the area and review of camera footage in the neighborhood that does not show Suspect Vehicle 1 during that timeframe, I believe that Suspect Vehicle 1 likely exited the neighborhood at Palouse River Drive and Conestoga Drive.

Palouse River Drive is at the southern edge of Moscow and proceeds into Whitman County, Washington. Eventually the road leads to Pullman, Washington. Pullman Washington is 6

approximately 10 miles from Moscow, Idaho. Both Pullman and Moscow are small college towns and people commonly travel back and forth between them.

Law enforcement officers provided video footage of Suspect Vehicle 1 to forensic examiners with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that regularly utilize surveillance footage to identify the year, make, and model of an unknown vehicle that is observed by one or more cameras during the commission of a criminal offense. The Forensic Examiner has approximately 35 years law enforcement experience with twelve years at the FBI. His specific training includes identifying unique characteristics of vehicles, and he uses a database that gives visual clues of vehicles across states to identify differences between vehicles.

After reviewing the numerous observations of Suspect Vehicle 1, the forensic examiner initially believed that Suspect Vehicle 1 was a 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra. Upon further review, he indicated it could also be a 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra. As a result, investigators have been reviewing information on persons in possession of a vehicle that is a 2011-2016 white Hyundai Elantra.

Investigators were given access to video footage on the Washington State University (WSU) campus located in Pullman, WA. A review of that video indicated that at approximately
2:44 a.m. on November 13, 2022, a white sedan, which was consistent with the description of the White Elantra known as Suspect Vehicle 1, was observed on WSU surveillance cameras travelling north on southeast Nevada Street at northeast Stadium Way. At approximately 2:53 a.m., a white sedan, which is consistent with the description of the White Elantra known as Suspect Vehicle 1, was observed traveling southeast on Nevada Street in Pullman, WA towards SR 270. SR 270 connects Pullman, Washington to Moscow, Idaho. This camera footage from 7

Pullman, WA was provided to the same FBI Forensic Examiner. The Forensic Examiner identified the vehicle observed in Pullman, WA as being a 2014-2016 Hyundai Elantra.

At approximately 5:25 a.m., a white sedan, which was consistent with the description of Suspect Vehicle 1, was observed on five cameras in Pullman, WA and on WSU Campus cameras. The first camera that recorded the white sedan was located at 1300 Johnson Road in Pullman. The white sedan was observed traveling northbound on Johnson Road. Johnson Road leads directly back to West Palouse River Drive in Moscow which intersects with Conestoga Drive. The white sedan was then observed turning north on Bishop Boulevard and northwest on SR 270. At approximately 5:27 a.m., the White Elantra was observed on cameras traveling northbound on Stadium Way at Nevada Street, Stadium Way at Grimes Way, Stadium Drive at Wilson Road, and Stadium Way at Cougar Way.

Depiction showing Moscow and Pullman:
Depiction showing White Elantra's path of travel (not to scale):
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Legend White Elantra seen leaving WSU Campus White Elantra seen Returning to WSU Campus 1630 NE Valley Road adrum Washington State University WSU Bear Center Pulim 158 Arrows are Washington camera State University locations and Albretum indicate vehicle direction of travel On November 25, 2022, MPD asked area law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for white Hyundai Elantras in the area. On November 29, 2022, at approximately 12:28 a.m., Washington State University (WSU) Police Officer Daniel Tiengo, queried white Elantras registered at WSU. As a result of that query he located a 2015 white Elantra with a Pennsylvania license plate LFZ-8649. This vehicle was registered to Bryan Kohberger hereafter " Kohberger " residing at 1630 NE Valley Road, Apartment 201, Pullman, Washington. 1630 NE Valley Road is approximately three-quarters of a mile from the intersection of Stadium Way and Cougar Way (last camera location that picked up the white Elantra).

That same day at approximately 12:58 a.m., WSU Officer Curtis Whitman was looking for white Hyundai Elantra's and located a 2015 white Hyundai Elantra at 1630 NE Valley Road in Pullman in the parking lot. 1630 NE Valley Road is an apartment complex that houses WSU 9

students. Officer Whitman also ran the car and it returned to Kohberger with a Washington tag. I reviewed Kohberg's WA state driver license information and photograph. This license indicates that Kohberger is a white male with a height of 6 ' and weighs 185 pounds. Additionally, the photograph of Kohberger shows that he has bushy eyebrows. Kohberger's physical description is consistent with the description of the male D.M. saw inside the King Road Residence on November 13th.

Further investigation, including a review of Latah County Sheriff's Deputy CPL Duke's body cam and reports, showed that on August 21, 2022, Bryan Kohberger was detained as part of a traffic stop that occurred in Moscow, Idaho, by CPL Duke. At the time, Kohberger, who was the sole occupant, was driving a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra with Pennsylvania plate LFZ-8649 which was set to expire on November 30, 2022. During the stop, which was recorded via a law enforcement body camera, Kohberger provided his phone number as 8458, hereafter the " 8458 Phone " as his cellular telephone number. Investigators conducted electronic database queries and learned that the 8458 Phone is a number issued by AT & T.

On October 14, 2022, Bryan Kohberger was detained as part of a traffic stop by a WSU Police Officer. Upon review of that body cam and report of the stop, Kohberger was the sole occupant and was driving a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra with Pennsylvania plate LFZ-8649.

On November 18, 2022, according to WA state licensing, Kohberger registered the 2015 white Elantra with WA and later received WA plate CFB-8708. Prior to this time, the 2015 white Elantra was registered in Pennsylvania, which does not require a front license plate to be displayed (this was learned through communications with a Pennsylvania officer who is currently certified in the State of Pennsylvania). Based on my own experience and 10

communication with Washington law enforcement, I know that Idaho and Washington require front and back license plates to be displayed.

Investigators believe that Kohberger is still driving the 2015 white Elantra because his vehicle was captured on December 13, 2022, by a license plate reader in Loma, Colorado (information provided by a query to a database). Kohberger's Elantra was then queried on December 15, 2022 by law enforcement in Hancock County, Indiana. On December 16, 2022 at approximately 2:26 p.m., surveillance video showed Kohberger's Elantra in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania. The sole occupant of the vehicle was a white male whose description was consistent with Kohberger. Kohberger has family in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania (learned through a TLO search and locate tool database query).

Based on information provided on the WSU website, Kohberger is currently a Ph.D Student in Criminology at Washington State University. Pursuant to records provided by a member of the interview panel for Pullman Police Department, we learned that Kohberger's past education included undergraduate degrees in psychology and cloud-based forensics. These records also showed Kohberger wrote an essay when he applied for an internship with the Pullman Police Department in the fall of 2022. Kohberger wrote in his essay he had interest in assisting rural law enforcement agencies with how to better collect and analyze technological data in public safety operations. Kohberger also posted a Reddit survey which can be found by an open-source internet search. The survey asked for participants to provide information to " understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision making when committing a crime. " As part of this investigation, law enforcement obtained search warrants to determine cellular devices that utilized cellular towers in close proximity to the King Road Residence on 11

November 13, 2022 between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. After determining that Kohberger was associated to both the 2015 White Elantra and the 8458 Phone, investigators reviewed these search warrant returns. A query of the 8458 Phone in these returns did not show the 8458 Phone utilizing cellular tower resources in close proximity to the King Road Residence between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Based on my training, experience, and conversations with law enforcement officers that specialize in the utilization of cellular telephone records as part of investigations, individuals can either leave their cellular telephone at a different location before committing a crime or turn their cellular telephone off prior to going to a location to commit a