Idaho Judge Blocks Full Release of Graphic Kohberger Crime Scene Photos

Court Rules on Graphic Evidence

An Idaho judge has ruled to block the full release of graphic crime scene photographs related to the Bryan Kohberger murder case. On October 1, 2025, Second District Judge Megan Marshall issued a decision preventing the dissemination of images depicting the bodies of the four University of Idaho students or the blood immediately surrounding them. The ruling cited significant privacy concerns for the victims' families and the potential for 'extreme emotional distress' if such images were to circulate publicly.

Privacy Concerns Outweigh Public Interest

Judge Marshall's decision emphasizes that the privacy interests of the victims' families outweigh the public's interest in viewing the most disturbing aspects of the crime scene. The judge stated, 'There is little to be gained by the public in seeing the decedents' bodies, the blood soaked sheets, blood spatter or other death-scene depictions,' adding that their release 'has and will continue to have profound effect upon the decedents' loved ones.' The ruling mandates that the city of Moscow must black out these specific graphic portions from any released photographs or videos.

Background of the Kohberger Case

The case involves the November 2022 murders of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Ethan Chapin at an off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho. Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to life without parole in July 2025 after pleading guilty to the stabbings. Following Kohberger's sentencing, the Moscow Police Department received hundreds of public records requests for investigative files.

Partial Release of Records Permitted

While the most graphic images are now protected, the court's ruling does allow for the release of other investigatory records. These include:

• Images of the residence interior and exterior
• Photographs of personal items found inside the home
• Witness statements and other documents connected to the case

The families of Madison Mogen and Ethan Chapin had specifically requested the court to prevent the release of graphic crime scene photos and videos, arguing that the images were invasive and traumatizing. The judge's decision balances the Idaho Public Records Act's presumption of disclosure with the victims' families' right to privacy, referencing both Idaho law and a 2004 U.S. Supreme Court decision.