Walmart Surveillance Reveals Bryan Kohberger’s Shopping Habits Before and After Idaho Murders

Newly released Walmart surveillance footage has provided a chilling glimpse into the routine activities of Bryan Kohberger in the weeks surrounding the University of Idaho student murders. The videos, obtained by Fox News Digital through a public records request, document at least 13 visits to the Pullman store between October 28 and December 8, 2022. The footage reveals a disturbing pattern: after the November 13 murders, Kohberger—who recently pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty—began consistently wearing gloves while shopping, a stark contrast to his pre-murder behavior. This behavioral shift represents just one piece of the extensive evidence collected in the case against the former criminology Ph.D. student who brutally killed four young people in their off-campus residence.

The surveillance timeline paints a particularly unsettling picture when viewed alongside the timing of the murders. On November 12, just hours before the killings, Kohberger was recorded checking out at Walmart at 10:34 PM without gloves—the last time he would be seen shopping bare-handed. Approximately six hours later, around 4 AM on November 13, he committed the horrific murders that shocked the nation. In subsequent store visits, Kohberger maintained an apparent obsession with concealing his hands, only exposing a single thumb when necessary to retrieve his credit card. This pattern continued until his final recorded visit on December 8, when he arrived wearing gloves but removed them while paying. Notably, most of his shopping trips occurred after dark, suggesting a preference for nighttime activities that aligns with the timing of the murders themselves.

The investigation revealed that Kohberger used the same debit card throughout his Walmart visits, making his movements easy to track. Among his purchases, police identified only two items of particular evidentiary interest: a beanie bought on November 7 (which investigators couldn’t confirm was a ski mask) and a nine-pack of gray hand towels purchased on December 1. This shopping record offers a glimpse into the methodical nature of Kohberger’s actions both before and after the crimes. Additionally, police discovered that around December 2, Kohberger was accompanied by an unidentified person during his Walmart visit, though they paid separately at self-checkout registers. This detail stands out as investigators have consistently maintained that Kohberger acted alone in the murders, raising questions about this individual’s identity and potential knowledge of his activities.

What makes these surveillance videos particularly significant is how they complement other evidence in the case. Court documents previously revealed that a Walmart employee had reported a suspicious white male inquiring about a black ski mask, which aligns with eyewitness descriptions of the killer wearing a balaclava that revealed only his “bushy eyebrows.” Police also found a Walmart receipt during a search of Kohberger’s residence and served warrants on the retailer while investigating the purchase of the murder weapon, a Ka-Bar knife. Although investigators ultimately determined Kohberger had bought such a knife through Amazon and later searched for another after the murders, the actual murder weapon was never recovered. The only physical evidence linking Kohberger to the scene was a Ka-Bar knife sheath containing his DNA, which he carelessly left behind at the crime scene—a surprising oversight for someone studying criminology.

The murders themselves were meticulously brutal. On that November morning, Kohberger entered the home at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, through which he attacked and killed Madison Mogen (21), Kaylee Goncalves (21), Xana Kernodle (20), and Ethan Chapin (20). According to authorities, all victims except Kernodle were asleep when the attack began. The location of the crime—approximately 10 miles from Washington State University where Kohberger was studying—suggests careful planning and familiarity with the area. The Walmart store where he was repeatedly captured on surveillance sits between the two campuses, further emphasizing the geographic convenience that may have factored into his preparations and aftermath handling. Kohberger remained in the area until around December 15, when he embarked on a cross-country drive with his father back to Pennsylvania, where authorities would finally arrest him at his parents’ home on December 30.

Despite pleading guilty and receiving four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole plus an additional 10 years, Kohberger has never provided an explanation for the killings. The surveillance footage from Walmart offers a rare window into his behavior during this critical period, showing a calculated shift in his actions following the murders. The videos capture the banality of evil—a man conducting ordinary shopping trips while harboring extraordinary secrets. Previously released information revealed that during his criminology studies, Kohberger had even discussed whether victims’ families should have input on death penalty cases, adding a layer of disturbing irony to his own case resolution. While his motive remains unknown, the evidence trail, including these surveillance videos, reveals a methodical individual who took specific precautions after committing one of the most notorious college town murders in recent American history. The case stands as a sobering reminder that sometimes the most dangerous individuals can blend seamlessly into everyday environments like a local Walmart, leaving only subtle behavioral changes as potential indicators of their horrific actions.