Pennsylvania Grand Jury Testimony Reveals Parents’ Connection to Murder Case of Bryan Kohberger

The parents of Bryan Kohberger testify in a Pennsylvania grand jury regarding the disappearance and death of a woman.

In a recent development, the parents of Bryan Kohberger, Michael and Maryann Kohberger, were summoned to testify in front of a Pennsylvania grand jury. The hearing aimed to uncover any potential connections between the Kohberger family and the tragic disappearance and subsequent death of Dana Smithers, a woman whose remains were found almost a year after she went missing.

Dana Smithers was last seen leaving a friend’s house in Monroe County on the evening of May 28, 2022. Tragically, her remains were discovered in Stroudsburg, a Poconos community located about a 30-minute drive from the Kohberger family home in Albrightsville.

Despite the involvement of Bryan Kohberger in a separate high-profile murder case in Idaho, the Stroud Area Police Department has stated that there is currently no evidence linking him to Smithers’ death. The authorities reiterated this point through a Facebook post, emphasizing that they have no reason to believe the two cases are connected.

Additionally, sources close to the investigation have revealed that Bryan Kohberger has a “good alibi” in relation to Dana Smithers’ case. This information, as reported by WBRE/WYOU, a Wilkes-Barre-based news outlet, raises further doubts about any potential involvement of Kohberger in Smithers’ tragic demise.

Bryan Kohberger has gained attention due to his recent indictment on charges related to the murder of four individuals in Idaho. A grand jury in Idaho returned an indictment charging him with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. The incident occurred at a rental home on King Road, where Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were brutally stabbed to death.

Kohberger, who had started a Ph.D. program at Washington State University in the fall of 2022, stands accused of committing the heinous crime at the nearby University of Idaho, where the four undergraduates lost their lives in a shocking early morning massacre on November 13. Reports from Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt indicate that the victims suffered multiple stab wounds, with some potentially being asleep at the time of the attack.

Prior to his arrest, Bryan Kohberger had a clean record, despite a history of drug problems. His arrest on December 30 took place at his parents’ residence, following a cross-country journey from Washington State University with his father in the suspected vehicle. Subsequently, investigators in various local communities began exploring possible connections between Kohberger and unsolved cases in their jurisdictions.

Former NYPD sergeant Joseph Giacalone, currently a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, emphasized the importance of examining potential links between cold cases. While not all suspects are serial offenders, studying related cases may yield valuable clues and insights.

During his arraignment in Idaho’s Latah County, Bryan Kohberger opted not to enter a plea. District Judge John Judge entered not guilty pleas on his behalf, scheduling a trial for October. Kohberger remains detained at the county jail without bail, awaiting further legal proceedings. Prosecutors have a 60-day window from the arraignment to formally notify the court if they intend to seek the death penalty in this case.