The house at 1122 King Road is gone now. It was demolished in late 2023, turned into a vacant lot that honestly looks like any other patch of dirt in Moscow, Idaho, if you didn't know the history. But for millions of people following the case against Bryan Kohberger, the physical structure doesn't matter as much as what was found inside. People are constantly searching for Idaho murders crime scene photos, hoping to find some clarity in a case that feels like a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing.
It’s heavy stuff.
When four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were killed in November 2022, the small town of Moscow was fundamentally changed. The investigation that followed was quiet, methodical, and shielded by a massive judicial gag order. That order is basically the reason you haven't seen the actual crime scene photos, and why most of what you see online is either a "recreation" or a leaked image of the outside of the house.
The reality of what exists behind the gag order
The court system in Latah County isn't playing around. Judge John Judge, who is overseeing the Kohberger trial (which has since been moved to Boise), has been incredibly strict about what information reaches the public.
So, what do the real Idaho murders crime scene photos actually contain? According to court filings and the probable cause affidavit written by Corporal Brett Payne, the evidence is extensive. We know there are photos of a tan leather knife sheath found on Maddie Mogen’s bed. We know there are images of a "latent shoe print" found outside Xana Kernodle’s room—specifically a diamond-shaped pattern that investigators say matches a Vans-style sole.
But you won't find these on Reddit.
The prosecution has turned over thousands of photographs to the defense team as part of the discovery process. This includes "gigabytes" of digital evidence, body cam footage from the initial responding officers, and high-resolution forensic stills taken by the Idaho State Police. These images serve as a silent witness to the struggle that took place between 4:00 AM and 4:25 AM that morning.
📖 Related: Typhoon Tip and the Largest Hurricane on Record: Why Size Actually Matters
Why the public hasn't seen the evidence
Some people find it frustrating. They feel like public transparency is part of the justice system. However, the legal reality is that leaking Idaho murders crime scene photos before a jury is seated would be a one-way ticket to a mistrial.
Think about it. If the photos were leaked, finding twelve impartial jurors who haven't been "tainted" by the graphic nature of the evidence would be impossible. The defense, led by Anne Taylor, would have a field day arguing that her client can’t get a fair trial. That’s why the prosecution, led by Bill Thompson, has fought so hard to keep the evidentiary seal tight.
It’s also about the families. The Goncalves family has been very vocal about their desire for the truth, but even they have expressed the sheer trauma that comes with the thought of these images being public. There's a human element here that goes beyond true crime curiosity. These were kids. They had lives, messaged friends, and were just sleeping or hanging out when the unthinkable happened.
What the "leaked" photos actually show
If you’ve seen images labeled as Idaho murders crime scene photos on social media, you’ve likely seen one of three things:
- The Blood Oozing from the Foundation: This is a real photo. It shows a dark, reddish-black fluid seeping down the exterior foundation of the house, near the area of Xana Kernodle’s room. It’s a chilling image that went viral early on, showing the sheer brutality of the scene.
- The Forensic Mapping: You might see 3D scans or digital "point clouds." These aren't photos in the traditional sense, but data points used by investigators to recreate the house layout.
- The Interior Stills from Zillow: Before the murders, the house was a rental. Many people use these old real estate photos to try and map out where the bodies were found based on the affidavit. It’s a way for people to visualize the "Flow" of the intruder.
The actual, graphic evidence remains in a digital vault.
The forensic challenge of the King Road house
The house was a nightmare for forensic teams. It was a "party house."
👉 See also: Melissa Calhoun Satellite High Teacher Dismissal: What Really Happened
That means it was full of DNA from hundreds of people who had been there over the previous months. Imagine trying to find a single suspect's DNA in a sea of hair, skin cells, and fingerprints from half the university. This is why the crime scene photos were so critical; they documented the exact placement of evidence in relation to the victims, helping to separate "background" DNA from the killer’s DNA.
Investigators spent weeks inside that house. They took floorboards. They cut out sections of the wall. They even dismantled the plumbing to look for evidence that might have been washed away. Every one of those steps was documented with a photograph.
The defense has challenged the way this evidence was collected. They’ve questioned the "Investigative Genetic Genealogy" (IGG) used to lead police to Kohberger. They want to see the photos of how the DNA was swabbed from the knife sheath. Was there cross-contamination? Was the sheath moved before it was photographed? These are the questions that will be argued in front of a jury in Boise.
The psychological impact of visual evidence
In high-profile cases like this, the visual evidence often becomes the turning point. During the trial, the jury will be shown the Idaho murders crime scene photos on large monitors. Experts believe this will be the most difficult part of the proceedings for everyone involved.
There is a specific type of trauma associated with viewing these images. Even seasoned investigators have talked about the "heavy" atmosphere inside the King Road home. The photos don't just show a crime; they show the end of four promising lives.
What to expect during the trial
When the trial finally begins, the rules for the media will be incredibly strict. While there may be a camera in the courtroom, it is highly unlikely that the judge will allow the crime scene photos to be broadcast to the general public. Instead, the camera will likely pan away or be cut when graphic evidence is being discussed.
✨ Don't miss: Wisconsin Judicial Elections 2025: Why This Race Broke Every Record
This is standard procedure. It protects the dignity of the victims and ensures that the record is kept for the court, not for public consumption.
The defense is expected to present their own set of photos—images of the house’s exterior, lighting conditions, and potential "blind spots" where they claim someone else could have entered or exited without being seen on the neighboring security cameras (like the one at 1112 King Road).
Actionable steps for following the case ethically
If you are following the Idaho murders case and looking for the most accurate information regarding the evidence and the crime scene, here is how you can stay informed without falling for misinformation:
- Read the original Probable Cause Affidavit: This is the most "raw" look at the crime scene you will get. It describes the positions of the victims and the location of the evidence without the sensationalism of social media.
- Follow the Latah County Court website: They post every single motion and order. If a new piece of evidence or a photo is officially entered into the public record (though most stay sealed), it will appear there first.
- Distinguish between "Discovery" and "Public Evidence": Just because the defense has a photo doesn't mean you will see it. "Discovery" is the exchange of information between lawyers; "Evidence" is what is actually presented in court.
- Avoid "Leaked" links: Most sites claiming to have the Idaho murders crime scene photos are clickbait at best and malware at worst. The court has maintained a very tight lid on the actual forensic imagery.
- Focus on the Preliminary Hearings: These are the moments when the prosecution has to lay out why they have the evidence they have. It’s the closest thing to a "narrative" of the crime scene photos you will find until the full trial.
The story of 1122 King Road is no longer about a house. It’s about a digital and physical trail of evidence that will eventually decide the fate of Bryan Kohberger. While the desire to see the "truth" through photos is a natural human reaction to a tragedy this size, the most important photos are the ones currently sitting in a secured evidence locker, waiting for their day in court. Justice, in this case, is a slow process that values the integrity of the evidence over the speed of public information.
Resources for further reading:
- State of Idaho v. Bryan C. Kohberger Court Records
- The Moscow Police Department Case Archive
- University of Idaho Memorial Information