Long before Bryan Kohberger was sentenced for the brutal murder of four University of Idaho students, he reportedly made one local woman’s life in Pullman, Washington, feel deeply unsettling.
A café employee has come forward describing a series of unnerving encounters with the criminology PhD student in the months leading up to the killings.
Daily Visits Turned Creepy
According to newly released police records, Kohberger began visiting the café over the summer of 2022, and by the fall semester, his visits were a daily occurrence—often arriving close to closing time.
The woman told investigators that he somehow learned her name and shift schedule, despite staff not wearing name tags.
His persistent attention left her uncomfortable, prompting her to confide in a coworker and try to avoid him whenever possible.
Eerie Incidents at Home
The unsettling encounters didn’t stop at work. Around August or September 2022, the woman reported two incidents at her Pullman home.
On one occasion, someone knocked on her window while she was alone and changing.
Another night, she heard movement on her porch around 7 p.m., prompting her husband to rush home.
He saw a white car leaving the area—though it remains unclear if Kohberger was involved, he did drive a white Hyundai Elantra.
Kohberger’s Pattern of Creepy Behavior
The café worker’s story echoes other reports from Washington State University classmates and faculty.
Many described Kohberger as creepy or sexist, with one faculty member warning he had the potential to become a “future rapist.”
Police records also reveal that in the weeks before the murders, students at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, noticed a man lurking around their home.
Kaylee Goncalves reported seeing someone in the trees while walking her dog, and her dog Murphy reacted unusually by barking at the tree line during gatherings.
Close Calls Before the Tragedy
In the month leading up to the murders, multiple strange incidents occurred at the King Road home.
On November 4, roommates found their front door open and armed themselves with golf clubs, fearing an intruder.
Goncalves had also mentioned being followed weeks prior, while another student nearby reported a failed break-in.
Kohberger’s phone records placed him near the King Road property at least 23 times between July and November 13, 2022, mostly at night.
Possible Connections to Victims’ Workplaces
Investigators have considered whether Kohberger may have met some of his victims at their places of employment.
Both Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle worked at the Mad Greek, a vegan restaurant in Moscow.
Former employees recalled seeing Kohberger there at least twice, and digital evidence on his devices included a passive Google Maps file associated with the restaurant.
While the data does not indicate when or why the file appeared, it hinted at a potential link between Kohberger and the victims’ routine locations.
Efforts to Hide Digital Footprints
Experts examining Kohberger’s Android phone and laptop noted that he went to great lengths to erase his digital activity, using VPNs, incognito mode, and clearing his browsing history.
According to the Cellebrite team, had he not deleted this evidence, a clearer connection to the victims may have been established before the murders.
Guilty Plea and Life Sentence
Kohberger avoided a capital trial by striking a last-minute plea deal, pleading guilty to all charges on July 2, 2025.
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 23 and is currently serving his sentence in Idaho’s maximum-security prison.
Despite his incarceration, he has already filed multiple complaints about fellow inmates.
A Case That Shines Light on Warning Signs
The Pullman café worker’s story adds a chilling new perspective to the tragic case, highlighting how seemingly small incidents and uncomfortable encounters can be early warning signs of much darker behavior.
Law enforcement continues to study the case for lessons that could prevent similar tragedies in the future.
