WSU Knew Bryan Kohberger Was a Predator — 13 Complaints, Zero Action | Families Sue University

Families of the four University of Idaho students brutally murdered in November 2022 are taking legal action against Washington State University, claiming the institution ignored 13 complaints about Bryan Kohberger’s predatory behavior. This 𝓈𝒽𝓸𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 lawsuit, filed in Skagit County Superior Court, raises serious questions about campus safety and institutional accountability.

 

The lawsuit details a chilling pattern of harassment and stalking by Kohberger, who was a PhD student at WSU at the time of the murders. Faculty members had warned about his behavior, with one professor stating, “Mark my words, I work with predators.” Despite these warnings, WSU failed to take decisive action, allowing Kohberger to remain on campus.

 

Documents reveal that between August and November 2022, at least 13 complaints about Kohberger were lodged with WSU’s Office of Compliance and Civil Rights. These complaints described his alarming behavior, including stalking, harassment, and discriminatory comments toward women. Yet, the institution opted to ignore these serious concerns, prioritizing liability over student safety.

 

Just five days before the tragic stabbings, WSU held a mandatory discrimination training session for Kohberger’s doctoral cohort, a move that underscores the university’s awareness of the issues surrounding him. However, the lawsuit claims that the university’s response was inadequate and failed to protect students from a known threat.

The families of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin are seeking justice, arguing that the university’s negligence directly contributed to their children’s deaths. The complaint alleges gross negligence, wrongful death, and violations of Title IX, emphasizing that the university had a duty to act on the documented threats posed by Kohberger.

 

WSU’s response has been criticized as lacking transparency. President Elizabeth Canwell expressed condolences but did not address the 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃𝓈 in detail. The families’ attorney stated that their goal is not vengeance but accountability, urging for reforms that ensure student safety and prevent future tragedies.

As the legal battle unfolds, the lawsuit shines a light on a broader issue of institutional failure in protecting students from predators. The chilling reality is that Kohberger’s behavior was not an isolated incident; it was a documented pattern that went unaddressed by those in power.

 

This case raises critical questions about the responsibilities of educational institutions in safeguarding their students. How many more warning signs must be ignored before action is taken? The families demand answers, transparency, and a commitment to reform from WSU.

In a world where campus safety should be paramount, this lawsuit serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences when institutions fail to act. The families are determined to ensure that no other student has to face the same fate as their children.

 

As the legal proceedings begin, the public watches closely, hoping for justice and meaningful change in the wake of such a heartbreaking loss. The stakes are high, and the outcome could reshape how universities handle 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃𝓈 of predatory behavior in the future.