Unraveling The Idaho Murders: Insights From Surviving Roommates Bethany Funke And Dylan Mortensen

One year has passed since the horrific Idaho murders, and in that time, two surviving roommates have provided a glimpse into what happened before and shortly after the gruesome murders.

Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen survived the November 13, 2022, slayings of their roommates Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20, at their rental house in Moscow, Idaho. Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20, was also killed. This tragic event sent shockwaves across the nation, sparking debates about safety and crime in college towns.

Despite the time that has passed, the memories of that night remain vivid for Funke and Mortensen. They have both come forward with key information that could shed light on the events leading up to and following the murders. Their testimonies are crucial not only for the ongoing legal proceedings but also for understanding the sequence of events that unfolded that fateful night.

An arrest was made over a month later, on December 30. Bryan Kohberger, 28, who at the time was a doctoral candidate at Washington State University (WSU) in nearby Pullman, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. The arrest brought some relief to the community, but the case remains complex and layered with unanswered questions.

Kohberger stood silent during his arraignment, which meant he did not plead guilty or not guilty. This required the judge to enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf. A lawyer who previously represented Kohberger stated that he is eager to be exonerated. Currently, Kohberger has been held in jail since his extradition to Idaho in early January.

In the year since the killings, both Funke and Mortensen have shared what they remember from the early morning hours of November 13, 2022. Their accounts are crucial in piecing together the timeline of events leading to the tragedy.

What Bethany Funke Revealed

Funke was staying in the basement of the house at the time of the murders and reportedly did not witness the attack on her roommates. According to a probable cause affidavit, both Funke and Mortensen “were inside the King Road Residence at the time of the homicides and were roommates to the victims.” This statement underscores the immediate proximity of the surviving roommates to the unfolding violence.

Funke had also seen Chapin and Kernodle at a fraternity house for several hours late on November 12 into the early morning hours of November 13. She met with Kohberger's defense team earlier this year in Nevada after the lawyers attempted to subpoena her to attend a preliminary hearing in Idaho. Funke indicated that she had information unique to her that could be exculpatory to the defendant.

She reported to the police that Chapin and Kernodle returned home around 1:45 a.m. Funke noted that Chapin did not live at the house and that their other roommates arrived home at approximately 2:00 a.m., being asleep or in their rooms by 4:00 a.m. Her detailed account is pivotal for investigators trying to establish a timeline of the events.

What Dylan Mortensen Revealed

Mortensen has provided the most descriptive information since she encountered the suspected killer on his way out of the house. On the morning of the murders, Mortensen opened her bedroom door several times shortly after 4 a.m. She initially believed she heard Goncalves playing with her dog in one of the third-floor bedrooms.

Later, Mortensen recalled thinking she heard Goncalves say something like, “There’s someone here.” She peeked out of her bedroom again when she thought she heard crying from Kernodle’s room, along with a male voice saying something that sounded like, “It’s okay, I’m going to help you.” This chilling account raises concerns about the interactions that may have occurred just before the murders.

When Mortensen opened her door a third time, she saw a male figure dressed in black and wearing a mask over his mouth and nose. She described standing in a “frozen shock phase” as the figure walked past her and out the sliding door. Mortensen described the man as having bushy eyebrows, a detail that may assist law enforcement in confirming the suspect’s identity.

Mortensen also mentioned she had heard Goncalves’ dog barking throughout the night, which could play a role in understanding the timeline of events. Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer stated that Mortensen’s information was crucial to the investigation, providing insight into the order in which the victims were killed.

According to Coffindaffer, Mortensen’s firsthand account alerted investigators to the fact that there was one male perpetrator, which helped narrow down the suspect profile. Kohberger's trial has been delayed, and it remains uncertain when it will begin.