The family of Bryan Christopher Kohberger, 28, the suspect arrested in the brutal slayings of four University of Idaho students, said they are cooperating with law enforcement to "promote his presumption of innocence" in their first public statement released Sunday.
The statement was released by Kohberger's counsel, Jason A. LaBar, the chief public defender of Monroe County, Pennsylvania, on behalf of Kohberger’s parents, Michael and Marianne Kohberger, and his sisters, Amanda and Melissa.
The Kohbergers pledged to "let the legal process unfold and as a family we will love and support our son and brother."
"We have fully cooperated with law enforcement agencies in an attempt to seek the truth and promote his presumption of innocence rather than judge unknown facts and make erroneous assumptions," the statement continued.
The statement also expressed condolences for the families of the four students — Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho — who were killed Nov. 13.
"First and foremost we care deeply for the four families who have lost their precious children. There are no words that can adequately express the sadness we feel, and we pray each day for them," it read.
The Kohbergers concluded by saying they "respect privacy in this matter as our family and the families suffering loss can move forward through the legal process."
LaBar said in an interview Saturday that his client is “eager to be exonerated.”
LaBar, who is representing the suspect in the extradition but not the murder case, said Kohberger was "very aware, but calm, and really shocked by his arrest" when the two spoke for about an hour Friday.
Police arrested Kohberger in Albrightsville in northeastern Pennsylvania, about 2,500 miles from the Idaho campus, officials said Friday.
Authorities said he will be charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary, accused of breaking into the Moscow, Idaho, home with the intent to commit a felony.
Several crucial pieces of information, like a possible motive, Kohberger's potential relationship with any of the victims or any evidence that led police to track him down, have not been released.
Two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation have said DNA evidence played a key role in linking the murders to Kohberger.
A Hyundai Elantra was taken away from Kohberger's home in Pennsylvania on Friday, law enforcement sources said. Police in Moscow had been looking for a white Hyundai Elantra as a possible piece of evidence.
A probable cause affidavit, with details supporting Kohberger’s arrest, is under seal until he sets foot in Idaho and is served with the papers in court, authorities said. LaBar said Saturday that Kohberger intends to waive his extradition hearing in Pennsylvania on Tuesday to face charges in Idaho soon after.