Exploring the Harrowing True Crime Docuseries “One Night In Idaho” on Prime Video

Devastation struck a quiet college town on the morning of Nov. 13, 2022, when four University of Idaho students were tragically found stabbed to death in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. The victims, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, lost their lives in a senseless act of violence that left the community reeling. Surviving roommates Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke escaped physical harm, but the impact of the murders sent shockwaves through the nation.

After the horrific event, questions lingered about the motive for the brutal killings. The prime suspect, Bryan Kohberger, a Ph.D. student at Washington State University studying criminology, was arrested in Pennsylvania on Dec. 30, 2022. Kohberger initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but as further details emerged, he changed his plea to guilty in July 2025. Following this admission, he received a life sentence, avoiding the death penalty, but leaving the question of why he committed the murders unanswered.

The release of the documentary “One Night in Idaho: The College Murders” shed some light on Kohberger’s possible motives. Kohberger’s studies in criminology, with a particular interest in serial killers like Elliot Roger, provided a disturbing background to the tragic events that unfolded in Idaho. Despite the lack of a concrete motive, Kohberger’s academic pursuits and personal interests intertwined in a chilling narrative that the documentary carefully unpacks.

The documentary takes a deep dive into the crime and its aftermath, exploring not only the details of the case but also the broader implications of gender-based violence and toxic online subcultures like the incel community. Although the filmmakers stop short of labeling Kohberger as an incel, the series raises important questions about the influence of modern ideologies and isolation on vulnerable individuals that cannot be ignored.

As the focus remains on the victims and their families, the documentary provides a platform for those affected by the tragedy to share their experiences and memories. While surviving roommates Mortensen and Funke have chosen to maintain a low profile in the aftermath of the murders, their resilience and courage in the face of such unimaginable loss is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for healing and survival. Through sensitively crafted storytelling and insightful interviews, “One Night in Idaho” invites viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about crime, compassion, and the complexities of the human psyche.