The family of Bryan Kohberger - the prime suspect in the murders of four Idaho college students - has said that they will "continue to love and support" him following his arrest.
Kohberger, 28, was arrested last week for his suspected involvement in the fatal November 13 stabbings of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, at a student home in Moscow, Idaho.
All four students were discovered to have been stabbed multiple times, and some had defensive stab wounds, the BBC detailed. Two other students were also present in the residence but were not hurt and had no involvement in the murders, according to police.
Their murders have rocked the local community, with many students choosing not to return to the Idaho University campus.
According to The New York Times, those who did return have equipped their houses with doorbell cameras, fitted rods onto their windows, or chosen to bunker with roommates. Calls to the local police department reportedly increased in the weeks following the killings.
Kohberger - who is a PhD student in criminal justice at Washington State University - recently waived his right to an extradition hearing, and will soon be extradited to Idaho where he will appear before a court.
His attorney Jason A. LaBar, recently stated via The New York Post on behalf of Kohberger's family and sister: "We have fully cooperated with law enforcement agencies in an attempt to seek the truth and promote his presumption of innocence rather than judge unknown facts and make erroneous assumptions." Per LaBar, they family added that they: "Will continue to let the legal process unfold and as a family we will love and support our son and brother."
They further expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased students, saying: "There are no words that can adequately express the sadness we feel, and we pray each day for them [...] We respect privacy in this matter as our family and the families suffering loss can move forward through the legal process."
A childhood friend of Kohberger recently spoke to ABC News about his experience with him in high school, claiming that he was "mean" and desperate to be seen as dominant. "He would, like, grapple me and like, put me in headlocks and arm bars and stuff like that," the former friend alleged.
Investigators are still attempting to recover a murder weapon, which they describe as being a fixed blade knife. They are also encouraging people to come forward with any information they believe may be relevant, especially now that Kohberger's name and face has been made public.
"We have a lot of work to do still, that's why were asking people if you knew this individual contact us," the police chief stated.
