The tragic murders of four University of Idaho students have left the nation reeling, desperate for answers. As the investigation unfolds, a chilling detail has emerged: the suspect, Bryan Kohberger, was a student of Dr. Katherine Ramsland, a renowned expert on serial killers.
Dr. Ramsland, a professor at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, boasts a chilling resume. Her expertise lies in the darkest corners of the human psyche, teaching courses on serial killers, forensic psychology, and psychological autopsy. She has even consulted on real-life death investigations and police trainings, lending her expertise to profiling and understanding the minds of the most dangerous individuals.
“I actually consult on death investigations. I do police trainings,” Dr. Ramsland shared in a past interview. “I talk about profiling and psychological autopsy…And I have a class in Dangerous Minds that I teach at the undergraduate and graduate level, and that is really about extreme offenders which is mass murderers, spree killers, and serial killers.”
Dr. Katherine Ramsland speaking at a podium
Kohberger, a PhD student studying criminal justice and criminology at Washington State University, was a student in one of Dr. Ramsland’s serial killer courses at DeSales University. According to a classmate, Kohberger often dominated classroom discussions, seemingly attempting to outshine Dr. Ramsland with his knowledge of the subject matter.
Dr. Ramsland’s fascination with the criminal mind, however, extends far beyond the classroom. She has dedicated years to studying real-life cases, even corresponding with infamous serial killer Dennis Rader, better known as the BTK Killer.
“I spent five years talking with Dennis Rader, the BTK serial killer because he does – he defies many of the formulas,” she explained. “So, I thought that was interesting. I wanted to know more about that, and I think I’m always looking for the outliers rather than the ones that fit the mold.”
Her in-depth knowledge and personal interactions with such criminals offer a unique perspective into the minds of those who commit such heinous acts. While Dr. Ramsland has chosen not to comment on Kohberger’s case at this time, the connection between the accused killer and the professor who dedicated her life to understanding such individuals raises more questions than answers.
Was Kohberger’s interest in serial killers purely academic, or did he harbor darker intentions? As the investigation progresses, we can only hope that a clearer picture will emerge, shedding light on the motivations behind this tragedy.