Interview Kiva Bloxham-Bliss

SPEAKER_00: This is detective Brady Walker with Idaho State Police.
SPEAKER_00: I am here with my partner.
SPEAKER_01: Matt Heinle, the Idaho State Police.
SPEAKER_00: Uh, the time by my timekeeping device is 03:04PM.
SPEAKER_00: Today is January 10, and we're in the With me here today And could you spell your name, whole name, date of birth, please?
SPEAKER_02: And then my birthday is
SPEAKER_00: Perfect.
SPEAKER_00: Also present is
SPEAKER_03: Can
SPEAKER_00: I get your name and birth date, please?
SPEAKER_00: K.
SPEAKER_00: Perfect.
SPEAKER_00: Alright.
SPEAKER_00: Now all the formal stuff is headed away.
SPEAKER_00: How you said you're
SPEAKER_01: a Mhmm.
SPEAKER_00: Just tell me a little bit about you here.
SPEAKER_00: When when was your first interaction with Brian?
SPEAKER_02: I'm not sure about dates, but I know that it was around the, like, the beginning of the semester.
SPEAKER_02: I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: I'm just gonna go off of my interactions and kind of just
SPEAKER_00: Sure.
SPEAKER_02: Go on about how, like, things went.
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
SPEAKER_02: So my first interaction with him, he came into the office.
SPEAKER_02: You know, he was the new grad student, so most of them come in there to talk to, you know, with help for I don't I don't know how to explain it.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you know, just about going on their with their career, you know, like, getting those little tips that they need, like classes and stuff like that to arrange their schedules.
SPEAKER_02: So he would come in there a lot, and, you know, he introduced himself to me, and that was kind of it.
SPEAKER_02: And then, like, as the days went on, I would see him coming, like, frequently, like, every single day in the office, and he would, like, try to conversate with all of us while we were working, and that kind of became an issue.
SPEAKER_02: Like, he was in there talking with for, like, two hours one day until, like, we had to close and, like, kind of be like, okay.
SPEAKER_02: You know, it's time to leave.
SPEAKER_02: Like, we're closing the office.
SPEAKER_02: And it kinda just kept happening, like, him coming back and not really respecting that we were working.
SPEAKER_02: And so, you know, like, we were trying to be nice to him because it's not like we're, like, you can't be in here.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: You can get out, but also, like, respect that we're working.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: Like, we can talk to you, but work conversations like, he would come in there to just talk about random stuff like Pennsylvania.
SPEAKER_02: Like, he he was also from Pennsylvania, so they would talk about, like, Pennsylvania.
SPEAKER_02: Like, they would just talk about random things, and so it kinda just seemed, like, a little weird.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: Like, he also was a TA, so he also should have been doing work too.
SPEAKER_02: Mhmm.
SPEAKER_02: But this situation kept happening a lot.
SPEAKER_02: And then I was closing up one day, and I was there alone.
SPEAKER_02: Sometime Dan leaves Dan at five with me, but sometimes she leaves early because Mhmm.
SPEAKER_02: So some days she works from home, and I'm there just by myself because is at three, and I'm there until five.
SPEAKER_02: So some days, I would be there by myself, and he would come in there and, like, just talk to me.
SPEAKER_02: And I'm not a very, like, rude or aggressive person, so I kind of just you know, I'm like, Like, I'm not gonna tell you to leave, but, like, get the hint kind of thing.
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
SPEAKER_02: I'm not really paying attention, conversating with you.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you know, you're just kinda standing there.
SPEAKER_02: It's a little weird, but he would just still kinda stand there.
SPEAKER_02: And I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: One day, I have to think I was, like, downstairs doing something, and then I came back up to lock up.
SPEAKER_02: And he was in there, and I was like, hey.
SPEAKER_02: You know, like, I'm locking up.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you know, like, shut off all the lights, lock the door.
SPEAKER_02: Like, it's time to go.
SPEAKER_02: And then he was like, oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_02: Okay.
SPEAKER_02: And he started talking to me.
SPEAKER_02: And then as we were talking, like, we were walking out of the building, I and was trying to leave to go home.
SPEAKER_02: And he was like, oh, hey.
SPEAKER_02: There's, like, free coffee at the Cub tonight.
SPEAKER_02: Like, do you wanna get some coffee with me?
SPEAKER_02: And I was like, no.
SPEAKER_02: Like, I'm trying to go home.
SPEAKER_02: Like, my here to pick me up.
SPEAKER_02: And then I just kind of walked away because I felt like there was nothing else to be said.
SPEAKER_02: Like, I wasn't, like, rudely saying it, but just kind of, like, that's a little uncomfortable.
SPEAKER_02: Like, that's not appropriate either.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: Like, I'm your coworker.
SPEAKER_02: I'm also way younger than you.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you know, it was just kinda weird.
SPEAKER_02: Like So, like, no.
SPEAKER_02: And and that was the first kind of weird interaction that I had with him.
SPEAKER_02: And afterwards, I told my bosses, and they, like, were like, woah.
SPEAKER_02: Like, he should never be talking to you like that.
SPEAKER_02: Like, that's very inappropriate.
SPEAKER_02: And so they're like, you know, like, we don't really want you alone with him anymore.
SPEAKER_02: Like, they also put up, like, all these precautions, which I thought was, like, very weird because I didn't really take it, like, a threat or anything.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: Like, I was just like, you know, like, he's just kinda trying to pursue me, and that's not really appropriate.
SPEAKER_02: Well, they were like, you know, if you ever feel uncomfortable, like, right away, they were like, you can always leave.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you're not forced to stay here.
SPEAKER_02: Like, we can have security officers, like, escort you out, like, all these kinds of things.
SPEAKER_02: And I was just like, that seems a little extreme.
SPEAKER_02: Like, I wasn't really saying, like, I was that concerned.
SPEAKER_02: I just wanted to let you guys know this is happening.
SPEAKER_02: But the fact they kinda reacted like that scared me a little bit because I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but the fact they were so willing to, like, go to all these extremes to, you know, like, keep me safe kinda worried me.
SPEAKER_02: And so it made me kind of question it a little bit more.
SPEAKER_02: And so they were like, we're gonna have a talk with him because you're not the first, like or, you know, they're not the first person that he has been having problems with, like, also with the grad students.
SPEAKER_02: And so that just kind of made me a little bit more wary in the situation.
SPEAKER_02: And then, like, he would still come while I was there alone, and he would, like, stand behind my desk, like, behind me while I was on the computer.
SPEAKER_02: Like so I'm sitting right here.
SPEAKER_02: He's standing right behind me, like, hovering over me.
SPEAKER_02: And, you know, that made me feel uncomfortable because I was like, you know, like, how can I tell him to move without, like, moving?
SPEAKER_02: You know, like, he's in my bubble.
SPEAKER_02: And so he honestly didn't move until another adviser came in.
SPEAKER_02: And I didn't even tell her anything, but, like, as soon as she came in, he kinda, like, walked away, like, all fast.
SPEAKER_02: Like, he walked out, and that was kinda weird to me.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you know, he was just standing there for so long.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you know, like, why is he gonna run out when someone comes?
SPEAKER_02: And then she was like, you know, if you're ever feeling, like, uncomfortable, I'm always here.
SPEAKER_02: Like, just send me a message on Teams.
SPEAKER_02: I'll come in.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you don't have to worry about anything.
SPEAKER_02: So just the fact that they could already kinda sense it, like, without me saying anything Mhmm.
SPEAKER_02: Also, like, was the red flag, you know, to me.
SPEAKER_02: And then I told my boss about it the next day, and they were like, you know, that's more a concern on the confidentiality stuff that you have on your computer.
SPEAKER_02: Like, he's not allowed to look at that.
SPEAKER_02: You have too much information, you know, like, on your computer.
SPEAKER_02: He's not allowed to look at your computer at all.
SPEAKER_02: And so that was even more of, like, you know, like, no.
SPEAKER_02: We need to talk to him.
SPEAKER_02: They honestly probably had, like, five overall talks with him about, like, his behavior and how he was acting.
SPEAKER_02: And, you know, like, it was probably after the third one that he finally stopped coming in the office as much to socialize, And I would see him, like, just in the hallways, and I would be, like, just taking out the recycling and stuff.
SPEAKER_02: And he would corner me right there, and he would, like, try to talk to me.
SPEAKER_02: He'd be like, hey, Ki How are you?
SPEAKER_02: You know, I'm I'm not gonna be mean to him.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: So I'm like, good.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: Like, how are you?
SPEAKER_02: And he'd be like, good.
SPEAKER_02: And then I would just try to leave it at that, you know, like, walk away now.
SPEAKER_02: And then he would be like, oh, like, we need to talk about neuroscience sometime.
SPEAKER_02: And I just said, yeah.
SPEAKER_02: And I was like, walk away.
SPEAKER_02: Like, I tried to limit it, but it seemed like he would, like, try to force the conversations with me and, like, corner me to where I couldn't go anywhere.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: And especially in the times I was alone, that's a little scary too.
SPEAKER_02: And I I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: I remember one day I was locking up or, like, getting ready to leave, picking up my backpack, and from the office, the window, you can see, like, outside.
SPEAKER_02: And I seen him walking outside, but it was so weird.
SPEAKER_02: Like, he made eye contact with me.
SPEAKER_02: And if you're just walking outside, you're not gonna be, like, inside the building windows unless you know, like like, you're looking for something.
SPEAKER_02: And it was so weird.
SPEAKER_02: Like, I made direct eye contact with him, and I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: Like, it just made my, like, heart kinda drop.
SPEAKER_02: Like, for some weird reason, it just felt very weird.
SPEAKER_02: And then, like, I see him walking up and, you know, I'm, like, trying to walk out.
SPEAKER_02: So he's coming in as the time I'm coming out, and I, like, locked up.
SPEAKER_02: I kind of, like I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: Like, I didn't really think of it like this, but now that I'm, like, rethinking it, my body was kinda telling me, like, you know, like, be careful.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you know, like, watch out.
SPEAKER_02: And I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: So I, like, peeped out and, like, I seen him walking.
SPEAKER_02: And as soon as I saw him turn this way, I ran into the bathroom, and I hid in there for, like, a couple minutes until, like, you know, like, I was felt like, okay.
SPEAKER_02: You can, like, leave now.
SPEAKER_02: And, I never even thought about it, like, twice until, like, all of the allegations came out and, you know, and then I rethought it, and I was that's my body telling me something's wrong.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: And I was just, you know, trying to see the better in him, but I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: Even conversations I've had with, like, the chair and the administrator and the graduate program coordinator, they all seemed very sketched out by his behavior.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: Like, that's not kind of a normal way to react, a normal way to think.
SPEAKER_02: Like, it was just kind of in his mindset because even with the other problems that he had with the other graduate students, like, he was very homophobic.
SPEAKER_02: I don't know if you've heard the stories about but she's also LGBTQ community.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: And we all have ally stickers on the doors.
SPEAKER_02: And he complained about that.
SPEAKER_02: He complained about the little stickers all over the doors, and he actually, like, took it out on because she's, you know, gay.
SPEAKER_02: And so she ended up putting all the pride stickers all over her door, and it turned into, like, this huge argument.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: But it was kind of him just, like, degrading females, degrading, like, other cultures.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: Like, he's a male.
SPEAKER_02: He's white.
SPEAKER_02: Like, he's superior kind of, like, mentality.
SPEAKER_02: And so I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: Like, it was issues that they tried to talk to him, but they couldn't really fix because it was in his mindset kind of thing.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: And so I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: But I also had times where my boss would take me home.
SPEAKER_02: Like, she would drive me home so I wouldn't have to ride the bus and walk by myself.
SPEAKER_02: Like, every time she was there, she would walk with me outside and make sure, like, I got into the elevator safely if I was drove.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: Like, it was just all these precautions that seemed a little weird.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: Like, it's something that shouldn't really have to take place, but they were all to avoid him.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: So that just kind of didn't sit right with me.
SPEAKER_02: And then I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: Like, we also had the situation where I went home one day, and the neighbor was, like, coming out.
SPEAKER_02: So she was like, hey.
SPEAKER_02: I don't know if you've noticed, but last night, normally, we leave, like, our kitchen light on, and but last night, it was off.
SPEAKER_02: And so I normally look in the window, and I see my reflection.
SPEAKER_02: It's like I seen something out there, and I thought it was just me until it started moving.
SPEAKER_02: And so she was like, I think, like, someone's, like, walking out back there, like, trying to get in.
SPEAKER_02: Like, please make sure you lock all of your doors.
SPEAKER_02: And, you know, like, I didn't really think anything of it.
SPEAKER_02: I was just like, okay.
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
SPEAKER_02: Like, we'll make sure to lock all of our doors until later out, his address got out, and he lives, like, kind of right by me.
SPEAKER_02: So I don't know if, like, you know, he may have like, I don't know if it was him, you know, but the fact that he was so close kinda scares me too because he was already trying to, like, target me in that kind of way.
SPEAKER_02: I don't know if that's just helpful information because I'm not sure if it was him.
SPEAKER_02: Like, we never seen a face or anything, but, you know, it's not better said than not said.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_00: Sure.
SPEAKER_00: Everything's helpful.
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
SPEAKER_00: So
SPEAKER_01: If you think it's small,
SPEAKER_00: it doesn't matter to us.
SPEAKER_00: We we wanna hear it.
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
SPEAKER_02: I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: And then after that, the department said that he was fired after winter break, and so that was kind of it.
SPEAKER_02: But that my last day of the semester, I actually had, like, a little coffee.
SPEAKER_02: I wouldn't call it a date because, you know, it's with professor, but he just asked me.
SPEAKER_02: He's like, you know, like, you're such a nice student.
SPEAKER_02: Like, I love having you working here, like, always seeing your bright smile, like, always fills the office with, like, good energy.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you know, like, I wanna take you and buy you a coffee for your last day, you know, and then we can have, like, a little talk because Brian was his TA.
SPEAKER_02: Brian was his TA.
SPEAKER_02: And so he took me for coffee at the Cub.
SPEAKER_02: We just got some Starbucks, and we're talking.
SPEAKER_02: And he brought up, like, that they were having this last very bad meeting about Brian, you know, and he apologized to me for, like, the way that he was also treating me And, like, he said that that was not okay and, like, all this stuff.
SPEAKER_02: And then he said that, like, the things with him didn't look very good right now.
SPEAKER_02: Like, the meeting is going very bad.
SPEAKER_02: So it kind of signaled to me that, like, you know, like, maybe they're gonna fire him.
SPEAKER_02: Like, you know, five times talking to him should have been way too many, you know, like, to try to fix the behavior.
SPEAKER_02: Like, if they were so scared from the very beginning, you know, taking all these precautions, like, why didn't they just remove him from the situation and trying to instead of trying to work around everything.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: And so I don't know.
SPEAKER_02: It's just seems very weird, but at the same time, it's like the more I think about it, the more everything kind of falls into place too.
SPEAKER_00: So I I kept track or tried to keep track a little bit of of at least the interactions you mentioned where it started to get a little, like, uncomfortable or awkward, like, past the the intro when you guys first met at the start of the semester and stuff like that.
SPEAKER_00: So I'm asking you just to guess or estimate here because I know you don't, like, write these things down every day.
SPEAKER_00: You know?
SPEAKER_00: How how many interactions would you say you had with him that you would describe as uncomfortable, awkward, or or, like, completely outside the context of what your work was?
SPEAKER_00: Like like like him standing behind you, that kind of thing.
SPEAKER_02: Honestly, all of them except for maybe the first time I ever talked to him because, you know, I thought he also came in with another grad student.
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
SPEAKER_02: And so, like, they were both there, and so it didn't seem as weird talking to him because they were both, you know, just introducing themselves, and that was kind of it.
SPEAKER_02: But after that, that's when it started getting weird, and I can't even count how many interactions I had with them.
SPEAKER_02: Like, I seen him almost every single day, you know, and I was with him, you know, forty days after all of this happened, you know, when he was still at work and everything.
SPEAKER_02: And it got to a point where he would try to avoid the office, and I think it's because made it very clear that, you know, like, he was acting inappropriately and that, like, they didn't want him in there if he didn't need to be.
SPEAKER_02: So he definitely tried to stay clear of the office, but then, you know, when I would come and encounter him, he would, like like, trap me.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: Like, he would me, so I couldn't really move anywhere.
SPEAKER_02: Like, I was kinda just forced to, like, stand there and talk to him until I could be like, oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_02: Okay.
SPEAKER_02: Gotta go.
SPEAKER_02: So it's not as rude.
SPEAKER_02: It doesn't seem like I'm trying to be rude to him, but just, you know, try to avoid it at all costs.
SPEAKER_02: And, I mean, in my head, I never really thought, like, anything more of it.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: I just thought he was trying to flirt with me or something.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: I don't really know, but even that made me uncomfortable.
SPEAKER_00: Sure.
SPEAKER_02: You know?
SPEAKER_02: So I would honestly say all of them.
SPEAKER_02: And if I had to guesstimate how many times I actually interacted with him, I would probably say, like, 30.
SPEAKER_02: Okay.
SPEAKER_02: Like, quite a bit.
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
SPEAKER_00: And so just so I as I'm sure you know, like, things like this kinda live and die on details, and and Mhmm.
SPEAKER_00: I I preface everything with I I'm I'm not asking to be exact, and I know your