A new book detailing the murders of four University of Idaho students in November 2022 has drawn criticism from the family of one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves. "When the Night Comes Falling" by journalist Howard Blum claims that Madison Mogen, another victim, was the sole target.
The victims' bodies were found in a rental house near the university. Authorities examined surveillance footage, phone data, and DNA evidence. Bryan Kohberger was charged with the murders. Kohberger was captured six weeks after the crimes at his parents' Pennsylvania home.
Blum's book, published on June 25, posits that Kohberger specifically targeted Mogen, bypassing other rooms to reach her on the house's third floor. The suspect entered through an open second-floor sliding door. Blum suggests that if the killer had been aimless and driven only by furious emotions, he would have likely entered one of the second-floor bedrooms. Instead, Blum argues that the killer had a plan and a clear target, comparing him to a hunter stalking his prey. He further speculates that since Goncalves no longer lived full-time in the house, petite Mogen had always been the intended victim.
The family of Goncalves has reacted by labeling the book as fictional, mentioning that it depends on dubious sources. They emphasized in their statement that they had not communicated with Blum regarding the book's content and criticized his use of sources that were not bound by truthfulness obligations. They suggested that Blum, as a seasoned writer, knows how to protect himself by claiming his information came from sources. Still, ultimately, they believe the book is a story fabricated by Blum.
The family condemned the book as an opportunistic attempt to profit from their tragedy, stating that it is merely another attempt to make money off the deaths of four young students.
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Blum told ABC News that his fortunate timing in the investigation allowed him to gather valuable insights. By arriving on the scene early, before a suspect had been identified, he spoke with many law enforcement officials who were actively involved in the search.
Sources informed Blum that the two surviving roommates were using their cell phones to communicate during and after the murders. According to Blum, grand jury testimony revealed that the two girls were texting each other not just after the killings but at one point, even during the murders.
Blum reported that Michael Kohberger had been following the news closely and was aware of the tragic murders of four students near his son's residence, prompting concerns about his troubled son. Additionally, Michael became particularly alarmed when he learned from Moscow police about a BOLO (be on the lookout) issued for a white Hyundai Elantra, the same make and model his son drove.
A judge entered not-guilty pleas on Kohberger's behalf last year, and a hearing to discuss the case schedule, including potential trial dates, is scheduled for June 27. Kohberger will face the death penalty if convicted. As the case progresses, the release of Blum's book adds another layer of complexity and controversy to an already tragic and high-profile case.
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