Bryan Kohberger, who is currently serving four life sentences for the murder of four University of Idaho students, has disclosed being diagnosed with several ‘mental health disorders’.
At the age of 30, Kohberger revealed his diagnoses on June 29 through a court filing, which has recently been accessed by People. This filing was done prior to Kohberger’s formal admission in court, where he pleaded guilty to the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen, in November 2022, as part of a plea deal to evade the death penalty.
The court filing contained handwritten responses from Kohberger to various questions, one of which inquired: “Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health disorder?”
Kohberger checked ‘yes’ and noted that he received these diagnoses in February 2025, more than two years after the tragic events.
The disorders Kohberger claimed to have been diagnosed with include: “Autism (level 1); OCD; ADHD; ARFID.”
‘Level 1’ autism, as defined in the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, refers to individuals requiring support.
According to Autism Speaks, those with level one autism may struggle with initiating social interactions, show decreased interest in these interactions, and exhibit inflexible behaviors.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a well-documented mental health condition involving obsessions and compulsions.
The Mayo Clinic describes obsessions as unwelcome, persistent thoughts or feelings causing distress. Compulsions consist of repetitive actions intended to alleviate the distress or uncertainty brought about by these obsessions, such as repeatedly checking if a door is locked or mentally repeating specific words.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by behaviors that, although common, are more frequently exhibited by those with ADHD. The National Institute of Mental Health identifies symptoms such as inattention, difficulty with organization, hyperactivity, and impulsivity as common in multiple settings.
ARFID, or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, is a less familiar condition restricting food intake, often due to anxiety or fear about food or its potential consequences, like choking.
Despite listing these conditions in the court filing, Kohberger did not assert that these disorders affected his mental state at the time of the murders, as this document was related to the guilty plea he eventually entered in court.