BOMBSHELL  BRYAN KOHBERGER: GUESS WHO GOT A SUBPOENA?! Idaho 4, DATELINE – Reporter Room

Brian Kohberger and the Idaho Case: A Deep Dive
Reporter Room with Jessica Dela Davies

Brian Kohberger was allegedly able to stab four Idaho college students to death in just a matter of minutes. That’s a major question the prosecution will need to explain to the jury and the public. However, insights into his past may offer us some clues.

It turns out that Kohberger knew how to handle a knife. Brian once worked as a fish cutter—a fillet man—while in high school. He was trained to cut and fillet raw fish. I know how that works, and it means you need precise control with a knife. That background might become relevant during the trial.

Welcome to Reporter Room

This is Reporter Room with Jessica Dela Davies. Hello, Reporter Room investigators! Come on in. We have so much to talk about regarding the Brian Kohberger case.

My name is Jessica Dela Davies. I’m an investigative journalist. My job is to explore crimes, crime scenes, and potential suspects—and to share that process with you. If you haven’t subscribed to Reporter Room yet, please do—it’s free! Like, share, leave a comment, and let’s get started.

Strava App and Digital Evidence

Today we’ll be discussing the Strava fitness app that Brian Kohberger reportedly had on his phone, some new details about his parents and sisters, and also the fact that the Goncalves family tribute page for their daughter Kaylee was taken down due to mass reporting.

Is it ever okay to go after the families of victims? That’s a serious question.

Let’s start with Strava.

Law enforcement was looking into all online accounts connected to Kohberger, including Strava, TikTok, and Snapchat. Strava is particularly interesting because it uses advanced features like hardware fingerprinting.

Strava calculates the distance traveled, average speed, and max speed based on activity data. If this app was active on Kohberger’s phone during the crimes, it could align with cell phone ping data. While initial reports mentioned 11 pings, the FBI later confirmed 23 pings, essentially mapping his movement like a personal GPS.

The Goncalves Family Page and Public Ethics

Now let’s talk about the Goncalves family’s Facebook page.

The page, which was a tribute to Kaylee, was taken down after being mass reported. Is it okay to target the families of victims just because you support the accused?

In my opinion, regardless of whether you believe Kohberger is innocent or guilty, there is absolutely no reason to attack the loved ones of the victims. Kaylee, Maddie, Ethan, and Xana’s families deserve peace.

Let me know if you feel differently in the comments. Hopefully, their tribute page will be restored soon.

Inside the Kohberger Family: Parents and Sisters

Let’s now talk about what we’ve learned about Brian Kohberger’s family. At least one member of his family has reportedly been subpoenaed.

An article—written with input from Phil Kohberger—dives into the backgrounds of Brian’s parents, Michael and Maryann Kohberger, and his sisters, Amanda and Melissa.

Michael Kohberger, Brian’s father, worked in school maintenance until he retired in 2019. He once called the police when Brian allegedly stole his sister’s cell phone, though he later dropped the case. In 2023, he was also subpoenaed in a separate case involving Dana Smithers. Though he avoids the media, Michael is expected to attend Brian’s trial with court approval.

Maryann Kohberger, Brian’s mother, worked as a paraprofessional for special needs students before retiring around 2020. She was seen as kind and thoughtful and once wrote a paper about Ted Bundy and capital punishment. After the Uvalde school shooting, she also submitted a deeply emotional poem written by her daughter to a local paper. Maryann was subpoenaed in 2023 and may serve as a witness in Brian’s trial.

Amanda and Melissa: Two Sisters, Two Reactions

Amanda Kohberger, Brian’s older sister, acted in an independent horror film titled Two Days Back before choosing a more private life. In 2023, she was reportedly fired from her job—potentially due to her brother’s arrest, though that’s unconfirmed. There are unverified rumors that Amanda had become suspicious of Brian’s behavior before his arrest, noting things like him wearing latex gloves inside the house. If she testifies, her insights could be significant.

Melissa Kohberger, the younger sister, worked as a licensed mental health therapist in New Jersey before allegedly being fired in 2023. Notably, she was excluded from the family’s joint public statement, which may indicate she’s distancing herself from the case.

Who Will Be in the Courtroom?

The judge has reserved four seats for Kohberger’s family members, but we don’t yet know who those four will be. It could be his parents and both sisters—or possibly other relatives.

Given that Amanda may have been suspicious of Brian, and Melissa declined to join the family’s public statement, it’s possible those seats will be filled by other family members instead. We’ll likely find out closer to the trial date.

Final Thoughts

As Brian Kohberger’s trial approaches—with jury selection on July 30th and opening statements on August 11th—public interest in his family continues to grow. The Kohbergers, a simple family from Pennsylvania, have been thrust into one of the most high-profile criminal trials in recent memory.

They’ve already faced financial struggles, including bankruptcies in 1996 and 2010, which may have been compounded by their son’s arrest. Despite the pressure, they released a statement expressing sympathy for the victims while also defending Brian’s presumption of innocence.

Their journey is now part of a larger national conversation—one about justice, grief, family, and how tragedy ripples far beyond the crime scene.