Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in a brutal stabbing spree, has been the subject of intense speculation about his religious background. Some online commentators have suggested that he is Jewish, based on his surname and his alleged connection to a prominent Jewish family in Brooklyn. However, there is little evidence to support this claim, and several sources have contradicted it. In this article, we will examine the facts and myths surrounding Bryan Kohberger’s religion and identity.
What is the origin of Kohberger’s name?
One of the main reasons why some people have assumed that Bryan Kohberger is Jewish is his surname, which sounds similar to the Hebrew word “kohen”, meaning priest. According to some websites, Kohberger is the son of Michael F. Kohberger and Mary Tarantola, and his father is related to a long list of Kohens, a Jewish priestly caste. However, this is not a reliable source of information, as it is based on a tweet by an anonymous user who did not provide any evidence for his claims.
In fact, Kohberger’s name is not Jewish, but Germanic. According to a website that traces the origin and meaning of surnames, Kohberger is a variant of Kohlberg, which means “coal mountain” in German. The name is common in Germany and Austria, and has nothing to do with the Jewish faith. Moreover, Kohberger’s middle name, Christopher, is a clear indication of a Christian family, as it derives from the Greek word for “Christ-bearer”.
What is Kohberger’s religious affiliation?
Another source of confusion about Bryan Kohberger’s religion is his attendance at a Catholic university and his participation in Mass while in jail. Kohberger graduated from DeSales University, a Catholic institution in Pennsylvania, with a degree in criminal justice in 2017. He also reportedly attends Mass on Sundays at the Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho, where he is being held on four counts of first-degree murder and felony burglary. These facts suggest that Kohberger is a practicing Catholic, or at least has some exposure to the Catholic faith.
However, Kohberger’s religious views are not known for sure, as he has not publicly stated them. His lawyer, Anne Taylor, who represented him at his first court appearance, said that he was “eager to be exonerated” and that he had no criminal history. She did not mention anything about his religion or motivation for the killings. Furthermore, a gag order issued by the judge in the case prevents anyone involved from talking or writing about it. Therefore, it is impossible to confirm or deny Kohberger’s religious affiliation at this point.
What is the motive behind the murders?
The most important question that remains unanswered is why Bryan Kohberger allegedly killed four University of Idaho students in cold blood. The victims, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, were found stabbed to death in a rental home near the campus on November 13, 2023. Two other roommates who were in the house survived the attack. Kohberger was a Ph.D. student in criminology at Washington State University, which is located near the University of Idaho. He was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania on December 30, after his DNA matched the evidence found at the crime scene.
The motive behind the murders is still unknown, as the investigation is ongoing. Federal agents are looking into Kohberger’s personal history, internet interactions, and financial records to find any clues or connections to the victims. Some items seized from his parents’ home, such as a knife, a pocket knife, and a Glock 22 handgun, may also provide some insight into his actions. However, until more information is revealed, the public can only speculate about what drove Kohberger to commit such a heinous crime.
Conclusion
Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the Idaho murder case, has been the target of online rumors and speculation about his religion and identity. Some people have claimed that he is Jewish, based on his name and his alleged link to a Jewish family in Brooklyn. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, and several sources have contradicted it. Kohberger’s name is Germanic, not Jewish, and his middle name is Christopher, which indicates a Christian background. He also attended a Catholic university and goes to Mass in jail, which suggests that he is a Catholic or has some familiarity with the Catholic faith. However, his actual religious views are not known, as he has not stated them publicly and a gag order prevents anyone from discussing the case. The motive behind the murders is also unclear, as the investigation is still in progress. Therefore, it is premature and inaccurate to label Kohberger as Jewish or anything else, until more facts are revealed.
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