Wed Jul 16 12:30:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**New Book “The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy” Explores Motives Behind University of Idaho Murders**

**[City, State] –** A new book, “The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy,” released Monday, aims to provide closure and insight into the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students in November 2022. Bestselling author James Patterson and investigative reporter Vicky Ward have teamed up to dissect the case, exploring a potential motive for admitted killer Bryan Kohberger and shedding light on his life before the crime.

The book delves into the lives of victims Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, who were all stabbed to death in an off-campus house. Based on over 300 interviews, including family and friends, Patterson and Ward suggest Mogen may have been the primary target. Witnesses mentioned Kohberger may have been rejected by Mogen at a restaurant where she worked, leading to retaliation.

“For people who have followed this story, we wanted to give them closure,” Patterson told ABC News.

The book also examines Kohberger’s background as a criminology Ph.D. student and his attempts to commit the “perfect crime,” highlighting the significance of the knife sheath left at the scene. It recounts details from a surviving roommate, Dylan, who witnessed the masked killer but initially mistook him for someone with a vacuum cleaner.

Kohberger, after initially pleading not guilty, admitted to the murders in court on July 2. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 23, facing four consecutive life sentences and an additional 10 years for burglary.

Ward said Ethan’s mother said she’s so glad that this book exists, because it means that they’re not forgotten, it is a tribute to them and their lives.

Patterson and Ward hope the book will offer a deeper understanding of the victims and their lives, ensuring they are remembered as more than just victims of a tragedy.

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