Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger studied under forensic psychologist Dr. Katherine Ramsland

The suspect in the slayings of four students at the University of Idaho in November completed his graduate studies in criminal justice earlier this year where he studied under famed murder expert Dr. Katherine Ramsland. 

Bryan Kohberger wrapped up his studies under Ramsland at DeSales University, in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, in June, according to The Daily Beast. The website mentions that one of the courses taught by Ramsland is Psychology of Death Investigations.

Ramsland has written books including, How to Catch a Killer, The Mind of a Murderer and The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation.

The Michigan-native is a professor of criminal justice and forensic psychology at DeSales. Her published works focus on murder, the supernatural and other aspects of true crime. 

There is no indication that Ramsland is in any way connected to the horrific slayings in Moscow, Idaho.  

Dr. Katherine Ramsland is a professor of criminal justice and forensic psychology at DeSales. Her published works focus on murder, the supernatural and other aspects of true crime

A classmate of suspect Bryan Kohberger described him as being ‘well spoken’ and ‘very intelligent’ but also ‘seemingly detached’

A classmate of Kohberger’s described him as being ‘well spoken’ and ‘very intelligent’ but also ‘seemingly detached.’

Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin — were stabbed to death at a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, sometime in the early morning hours of Nov. 13. 

That classmate also told the Daily Beast, ‘He was very leveled and somewhat imposing. There wasn’t much emotion displayed by him.’ The friend remarked on Kohberger’s ‘intense stare.’

The suspect graduated from DeSales with a Bachelor’s in 2020 and a Master’s in 2022. Moscow Police Chief James Fry said Friday that Kohberger attends Washington State University, which is only a few miles across the state line from Moscow.

Federal and state investigators are now combing through his background, financial records and electronic communications as they work to identify a motive and build the case, the official said. 

Ramsland has written books including, How to Catch a Killer, The Mind of a Murderer and The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation

Federal and state investigators are now combing through his background, financial records and electronic communications as they work to identify a motive and build the case, the official said 

The suspect graduated from DeSales with a Bachelor’s in 2020 and a Master’s in 2022. Moscow Police Chief James Fry said Friday that Kohberger attends Washington State University

The investigators are also interviewing people who knew Kohberger, including those at Washington State University, the official said.

During the press conference, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said investigators believe Kohberger broke into the students’ home ‘with the intent to commit murder.’ 

He is being held without bond in Pennsylvania, and will be held without bond in Idaho once he is returned, Thompson said. 

The affidavit for four charges of first-degree murder in Idaho will remain sealed until he is returned, as required by state law.

Kohberger just completed his first semester as a PhD student in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University. 

He is also a teaching assistant for the university’s criminal justice and criminology program, according to WSU’s online directory.

The murders of the four students in Idaho, pictured here in the center, is a gruesome situation that Ramsland is extremely familiar with

The murders of the four students in Idaho is the type of gruesome situation that Ramsland is extremely familiar with. 

Ramsland spoke about the dark subjects she writes about in a 2009 interview saying, ‘It’s clear that everything I do that truly engages me has this dark, edgy quality. Vampires, ghosts, corpses, serial killers, death investigations, cemeteries—they all take me into the shadows where most people fear to tread.’ 

In a separate 2018 interview, Ramsland said that she has consulted on several TV shows about forensic science. She said that when shows say that they have scientific consultants, it means they have paid a scientist to give them some ideas. 

Ramsland has consulted on the shows NCIS, Bones and The Alienist, as well as written a biography of famed horror novelist Anne Rice. 

The author said in the same interview, ‘I also have a pet peeve with the way forensic psychologists are often portrayed as psychoanalysts [on TV.] This just isn’t true for those who consult for police departments. In addition, psychologists are not detectives and ought not to be portrayed as such.’ 

She offered her advice on how people could avoid becoming statistics saying, ‘Be vigilant. Don’t accept media stereotypes, which make you more vulnerable. Don’t think like a victim. It sends signals to predators of your vulnerability.’