Is Kohberger a Jewish name? Speculation abounds on Idaho murder suspect's identity

Following the arrest of Bryan Kohberger for the murder of four University of Idaho students, a debate over his religious beliefs has erupted online. Many have wondered whether the suspect is a Christian or a Jew.

The Washington State University graduate was caught after law enforcement matched his DNA to genetic material discovered during the investigation. Authorities also learned that Bryan had a white Hyundai Elantra, a vehicle that was spotted near the home where the killings occurred.

Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were stabbed to death in the early morning hours of November 13. The students stayed in a rental home near the Moscow, Idaho, campus.

Federal investigators are researching Bryan’s background, electronic communications, and financial records to understand his motive for killing the University of Idaho students.

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Bryan Kohberger's religious beliefs has become a topic of interest on social media

Bryan Kohberger's name and possible religion are being widely discussed on social media since his arrest on December 30 for the murders of University of Idaho students.

Twitter user @DenbrotS responded to a fellow platform user saying that the 28-year-old criminal justice graduate was not Jewish. @DenbrotS noted that:

“Bryan is a non-Jewish spelling. No Jew is named Christopher. Kohberger is Germanic, not Jewish.”

Twitter user @TrashidaL also confirmed in a tweet that the suspect’s last name was of “Germanic and Austrian origin.”

Another user, @elefneshikot, also stated that Bryan was a Christian. They further said that the murder suspect’s middle name, “Christopher, obviously indicates a Christian family.”

@DenbrotS also shared that Kohberger’s former university, DeSales University, which is a Catholic educational institution, released a statement announcing that they were “devastated” by the murders. The statement read:

“As a Catholic, Salesian community, we are devastated by this senseless tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families during this difficult time.”

The user noted that since the suspect was enrolled at a Catholic institution, it is likely that he is a Catholic as well.

Bryan is the son of Michael and Maryann Kohberger. Michael is a maintenance worker, while Bryan’s mother is a substitute teacher.

Several others online have argued that the suspect is of Jewish descent. Twitter user @RudermanSal wrote:

“Can @ADL explain why another Jewish person has been added to the list of serial murderers?”

Bryan had just completed his first semester as a PhD student in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology. Alongside being a student, he was also a teaching assistant for Washington State University’s criminal justice and criminology program. He graduated from Northampton Community College with an associate arts degree in psychology in 2018.

Bryan Kohberger is currently being held for first-degree murder in Pennsylvania’s Monroe County.

Following his arrest, his parents released a statement on Twitter announcing that they were cooperating with law enforcement “in an attempt to seek the truth.” They also stated that they care deeply for the victims’ families, "who have lost their precious children," and that they will continue to support their son and brother, Bryan.