A new three-part docuseries, "The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare," now available on Netflix, offers a different perspective on the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. The series, according to its director, intends to focus on the victims—Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen—and their lives before the tragedy, rather than on the perpetrator.
The murders occurred on November 13, 2022, at approximately 4:30 a.m. in a shared house. Authorities found the four students had been fatally stabbed. Two other roommates, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, were present in the house but remained in their rooms during the attack.
Bryan Kohberger was arrested 47 days after the incident and charged with four counts of first-degree murder. He has since been sentenced to four life sentences and has recently filed a petition to reverse his guilty plea.
The Netflix series joins other documentaries that have explored the case. One four-part documentary released approximately a year ago provides a chronological breakdown of the crime, starting from the events of November 13, 2022, and concluding with Kohberger's arrest and sentencing.
Another documentary, an 87-minute film, delves into Kohberger's past, examining his behavior and discussing the potential influence of misogyny and incel culture on his actions, particularly given his lack of testimony in court. A separate film explores the impact of social media on true crime cases, investigating how public theories and commentary can affect ongoing investigations.