New details emerge about Idaho murders

New documents reveal what Dylan Mortensen heard and saw the night of the Idaho killings, adding nuance to the case now that Kohberger has been sentenced.

Surviving roommate details reshape Idaho murders narrative

New police documents detail what Dylan Mortensen, the surviving roommate, told investigators about the early morning hours of November 13, 2022. She described hearing a male voice say, it is ok Kaylee, I am here for you, and she later questioned the accuracy of that memory as she spoke with investigators. Mortensen said she believed Kaylee Goncalves was walking upstairs with her dog, and she heard a voice she did not recognize tell someone it would help them. Her memory, she said, was uncertain and she described trying to determine what was real after a night she said she had been drinking heavily.

Investigators conducted timed runs through the King Road residence to estimate how long the killings could have taken. The runs suggested a fast sequence could be completed in as little as two minutes and six seconds, with longer routes taking up to three minutes and forty five seconds. The home is described as open and busy with activity the night of the killings, including a sliding glass door that investigators believe allowed entry. The victims were described by friends as well liked, without a clear motive tying any suspect to them. Kohberger was later sentenced to four life terms plus ten years after pleading guilty to the charges.

Other details show the house had frequent comings and goings, a pattern that some neighbors thought helped explain why an intruder could slip in. A neighbor recalled Kaylee mentioning a stalker risk in the months before the murders, while another former resident said the house rarely felt safe. The documents also indicate that Mortensen initially described a scenario that included Goncalves, but she later revised the account.

The release of these documents highlights how memory can shift under pressure and influence in high profile cases. Alcohol, fear, and the chaotic environment of a late night party scene can blur what a witness recalls, making credibility a central issue for prosecutors and jurors alike. At the same time, the timed runs show investigators attempting to reconstruct a rapid sequence of events with physical data, underscoring how procedural work can shape public understanding even when motives remain unclear. The case raises questions about how open doors and routine noise in shared housing interact with risk, and how that context affects both investigation and memory.

Highlights

The night keeps revealing fragments that test memory and justice alike.