On the morning of November 13, 2022, a chilling phone call disrupted the quiet lives of two University of Idaho students, Hunter Johnson and Emily Alandt. Their friend, Dylan Mortensen, who lived just a short distance away, reached out to them, expressing her fears after hearing strange noises throughout the night. Concerned about her four roommates who were not responding, she asked Johnson and Alandt to check on them. Initially, the duo did not feel alarmed, as Moscow is known for being a safe and peaceful college town with a culture of unlocked doors.
However, their apprehension grew as they approached 1122 King Road, the home that had always been a lively hub for their friend group. Upon entering, Johnson headed upstairs to the bedroom where his best friend, Ethan Chapin, was visiting with his girlfriend, Xana Kernodle. To spare the others from witnessing a horrific scene, Johnson instructed Alandt and Mortensen to call 911 for an “unconscious individual.” This marked the beginning of a tragic saga that would soon captivate the nation.
As the details of the University of Idaho murders became public, they sparked widespread media coverage and online dissection. The new Amazon docuseries, One Night in Idaho: The College Murders, offers a unique perspective by focusing not solely on the murders of Chapin, Kernodle, and their roommates, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, but also on the aftermath of this tragedy and its effects on their loved ones.
Co-director Matthew Galkin emphasized the need for a narrative shift in crime storytelling. “In the crime genre, most stories are told from the perspective of investigators or the media,” he stated. “We wanted to flip the script and highlight the impact on those left behind.” This series aims to explore the confusion and grief experienced by the friends and family of the victims during the chaotic hours following the 911 call.
The murders quickly became a sensationalized news story, attracting reporters from across the country to the once-quiet community in northern Idaho. The residence at 1122 King Road transformed from a crime scene to a grim tourist attraction, drawing amateur sleuths and true crime enthusiasts who documented every detail online. The victims, four young individuals with vibrant social media presences, became subjects of intense scrutiny, and the lack of concrete information from authorities fueled rampant speculation.
As the investigation unfolded, the friends and families of the victims faced an onslaught of media inquiries and unsolicited online accusations. Anonymous online platforms began to circulate harmful theories, with some speculating that Johnson, who discovered the bodies, was involved in the crime. Galkin noted the bizarre situation in which “people were making 3D models of the house,” turning the tragedy into a spectacle.
Six weeks after the murders, authorities arrested Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology student from Washington State University. The arrest stemmed from DNA evidence found at the scene, but instead of quelling the speculation, it raised even more questions about his motives and connections to the victims. Kohberger’s subsequent online activity, including posts in a true crime Facebook group, hinted at a disturbing obsession with the case.
As Galkin and co-director Liz Garbus began to document the story, they committed to focusing on facts and avoiding sensationalism. “We go by facts. We do nothing salacious,” Galkin affirmed. The series aims to honor the victims by showcasing their lives and the profound impact of their loss on those who loved them.
In a surprising turn of events, Kohberger pleaded guilty to all four murders, thus avoiding a lengthy trial and potential death penalty. This unexpected plea caught many, including the families of the victims, off guard. While some relatives expressed anger over the deal, others, like the Chapin family, felt relief at the prospect of not having to endure a drawn-out legal process filled with graphic details.
The series concludes by emphasizing the importance of remembering the four victims not just as tragic figures but as vibrant individuals with dreams and personalities. Chapin was known for his humor, Kernodle for her love of music, Mogen for her quiet charm, and Goncalves for her ambition. Galkin and Garbus hope their work serves as a reminder of the human toll that comes with the obsession surrounding true crime stories.
Through One Night in Idaho, Galkin and Garbus strive to shed light on the consequences of true crime fascination and the impact it has on real lives. “There is a time and a place for amateur sleuthing, but there’s also a human toll,” Galkin concluded. The series advocates for a more compassionate approach to storytelling around crime, urging viewers to consider the emotional weight of their curiosity.
