Bryan Kohberger's stunning claims draw fiery response from defense expert who uncovered key evidence

FIRST ON FOX – A forensic expert formerly retained by Bryan Kohberger’s defense is raising questions about hair evidence recovered from the off-campus home where four University of Idaho students were murdered, although an attorney for one victim’s family says the evidence does not exonerate the convicted killer.

Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to murdering Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022. He was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without parole and an additional 10 years for burglary. 

Kohberger recently filed a petition for post-conviction relief seeking to undo his guilty pleas. He alleges he was coerced into accepting the plea agreement and that his attorneys failed to communicate potentially exculpatory evidence. The petition references hair evidence recovered during the investigation. 

The hairs were found under where Chapin’s right hand was photographed in Kernodle’s bed, affixed to the frame by dried blood. It’s the side of the bed that was touching the wall.

Turvey said Kohberger’s latest filing raises broader questions that extend beyond the hair evidence, arguing the court should closely examine the former criminology student’s allegations that he was coerced into pleading guilty and received ineffective legal representation.

“The defense had that evidence. And someone was gonna testify about it,” Gray said. “The other glaring issue is that all that proves is that there could’ve been another person, not that he wasn’t present.”

The FBI declined to comment when reached by Fox News Digital. 

Kohberger has never responded to any letters or emails from Fox News Digital.