Bryan Kohberger’s Shocking Mental Health Diagnosis: 4 Conditions Revealed Before Guilty Plea
Hello there, I’m Jordan Collins, and I’ll be guiding you through this rather complex story. I suppose it’s necessary to break it down for you, so let’s get started. Bryan Kohberger, the 30-year-old convicted of murdering four Idaho students, has revealed that he was diagnosed with four mental health disorders just months before pleading guilty to the crimes.
In a court filing obtained by People, Kohberger disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (level 1), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in February 2025. This revelation comes as a surprise, given that Kohberger had already confessed to the murders and was set to plead guilty.
For those who may not be familiar, let’s take a brief look at each of these conditions. Level 1 autism is characterized by mild symptoms, but individuals may still struggle with communication and social interactions. OCD is marked by recurring unwanted thoughts that lead to repetitive behaviors. ADHD is a condition that affects attention and impulse control. ARFID, on the other hand, is an eating disorder that causes individuals to limit their food intake due to factors such as a lack of interest in eating or sensitivity to taste and texture.
Kohberger’s diagnoses were made just three days before he formally pled guilty to the killings, as well as one count of burglary, in an Idaho court. He was subsequently sentenced to four consecutive life terms, plus a 10-year sentence and a $50,000 fine for the burglary charge. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine for each count of murder, as well as a $5,000 civil penalty to each of his victims’ families.
The victims, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, were University of Idaho students who lived in an off-campus apartment. On the night of November 12, 2022, Goncalves and Mogen were at a nearby sports bar, while Kernodle and Chapin were at a fraternity party. The next morning, their bodies were found, and an investigation was launched.
Two roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, had been home at the time of the murders and reported seeing a masked man moving through the house. Their text messages, which were unsealed in March 2025, revealed that they had tried to contact their roommates but received no response.
Kohberger’s mental health diagnoses raise questions about the potential impact on his case and his ability to understand the severity of his actions. While it’s impossible to know for certain, it’s clear that his conditions will be a topic of discussion in the years to come.
In conclusion, Bryan Kohberger’s mental health diagnosis is a complex and multifaceted issue that warrants further exploration. As we continue to follow this story, one thing is certain: the details of Kohberger’s conditions and their potential impact on his case will remain a topic of interest for some time.
Hopefully, that wasn’t too complicated, and you’ve gained a better understanding of this intricate story.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, E! News, The New York Times, The Idaho Statesman, NBC News
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
