University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger ‘may have left sheath at scene as calling card’ 

The University of Idaho murder suspect may have left a knife sheath at the scene to serve as a ‘calling card,’ according to experts, who also said the ‘brutality’ of the crime suggested he may have killed before.

Trial attorney Mercedes Colwin said the Kabar knife sheath found at the crime scene may have been intentionally left there by suspect Bryan Kohberger, noting that the practice of leaving a personal mark after a murder was not uncommon with killers.

She added it would not be out of character for a killer, ‘especially if you think you’re smarter than everybody else,’ whish she said Kohberger does.

Jonathan Gilliam, a former FBI special agent added that the ‘viciousness’ of the ‘butchering’ made him think it was ‘most likely’ Kohberger had committed violent crimes before the Idaho slayings.

‘I think he’s killed before most likely,’ he said. ‘Not four people, but I think he’s probably stalked and potentially killed females before.’ 

Kohberger, 28, was linked to the crime via DNA found on the a knife sheath at the scene 

Colwin said because the killer was so careful about covering their tracks, it was out of character they would have accidentally left behind the sheath to the murder weapon.

She said that incongruity made her thing the sheath was left intentionally.

‘He had gloves, at least that’s what’s presumed, that he had gloves. He tried to cover himself, did something to dispose of the clothing,’ she said. ‘If he in fact is the killer, then of course, this is something that could have just been a calling card and left it there.’

‘We’ve seen this with other killers, it’s their calling card, ‘I got this.’ 

 ‘I don’t think this investigation is going to continue, indefinitely. I think Jonathan’s right, we’re going to presumably find the knife,’ she added.

This was the knife sheath left at the crime scene

Trial attorney Mercedes Colwin said the Kabar knife sheath found at the crime scene may have been intentionally left there by the killer

Gilliam said he thought it was likely the knife used to murder Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin will likely be found and could bolster the case against Kohberger.

‘I think they’ll find that knife. I think the knife could potentially be found, because I think – like the car, and these things,’ he said. 

‘I think these are part of his operational tools. It’s no different than a go-bag for me.’

Colwin agreed the knife would eventually be found.

‘I don’t think this investigation is going to continue, indefinitely. I think Jonathan’s right, we’re going to presumably find the knife,’ she added.