Grace D. (I prefer to keep her name confidential to shield her from potential harassment by those who may advocate for Bryan Kohberger's innocence) first encountered him in February 2022 while shopping at Nordstrom Rack in Boise, Idaho. Kohberger is the individual charged with the stabbing murders of four Idaho college students on November 13, 2022: Madison (Maddy) Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Grace reached out to me due to her admiration for my work on the Morgan Ingram case and wished to share her experience with Kohberger. She also lives 15 minutes away from me. Here is the interview I conducted with her.
Sarah: Hello Grace. How are you? Thank you for reaching out to me and thank you speaking with me. You’ve had a remarkable experience with Bryan Kohberger. When I first learned about it, I was unsure of its authenticity, but I want you to know that I believe you. For those reading this interview, could you share the details of your encounter with Kohberger and how you came to meet him?
Grace: I went to Nordstrom Rack with my mom in early 2022. It was around early February. They marked down Christmas items then so it was shortly after the holidays. They put out Valentine’s Day items. Nordstrom Rack is one of my favorite stores to shop at for clothes. I’ve lived here in Idaho my entire life.
Sarah: It's an exceptional store, renowned for its remarkable deals. While you were shopping there, you unexpectedly crossed paths with Bryan Kohberger. Can you share how that encounter unfolded?
Grace: I was in the checkout line with my mom. We were talking about the sales in the store and I asked her if she wanted me to pay for her items with my Nordstrom credit card. I casually looked to see who was standing behind us and it was Bryan Kohberger. Plain as day in plain sight.
Sarah: Wow, that’s crazy. Did he say anything to you? How did you know it was him or better yet—how did you remember your encounter with him?
Grace: He was standing there wearing a black pea coat with a scarf. My sister came over and asked if I could pay for her items. When I originally turned around he smiled at me and said hello. After I told my sister I would pay for her items, I glanced up and noticed he looked directly at us (me, my mom, and sister) with a face of disgust. It looked as if his blood was boiling and he was mad.
Sarah: How did you remember this encounter with him? Do you think he was mad because he thought your sister was cutting in line?
Grace: His demeanor changed and it was the weirdest experience ever in the store. The first thing I assumed was possibly a multiple personality disorder or schizophrenia. Maybe even drug use. Whatever it was, it was scary.
Sarah: Absolutely.
Grace: He switched from happy to angry in a matter of minutes. Afterwards he threw his items on the ground as if he were having a temper tantrum. It was a very weird shopping experience.
Sarah: What happened next? Should I ask?
Grace: As me, my mom, and my sister were talking, he walked right through us and left the store. It was so weird. I remembered this encounter because of how bizarre it was. When I saw he was arrested for the Idaho murders, I literally got sick to my stomach. It was the same guy. He basically knocked us out of his way before leaving the store.
Sarah: It is very weird.
Grace: I usually forget such encounters and sometimes ignore them, but his was the weirdest. When I saw him on television, I immediately called my mom to tell her. She and my sister both remembered him, that day, and how bizarre it was.
Sarah: You came into contact with a serial killer and didn’t even know it. What he did to Madison, Kaylee, Xana, and Ethan is diabolical and vile.
Grace: It is very scary.
Sarah: Thank you for speaking with me today and sharing your experience with Bryan Kohberger.
Grace's encounter with Bryan Kohberger serves as a chilling reminder of how ordinary moments can intersect with extraordinary darkness. Her experience highlights the unpredictability of human behavior and the importance of trusting our instincts in unsettling situations. As we continue to seek justice for the victims of this tragic case—Madison, Kaylee, Xana, and Ethan—let us remember the lives lost and the impact their stories have on those who knew them. Thank you, Grace, for your bravery in sharing your story.
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