A Reddit channel for supporters of Bryan Kohberger, the suspect accused of slaughtering four University of Idaho students last year, has been banned.
A notice displayed on the now-defunct “Brynation” subreddit states that the online community was “banned for repeatedly violating Reddit’s Moderator Code of Conduct.”
It is unclear when the Reddit channel was taken offline, nor what specific code of conduct violation trigged the ban.
Kohberger, 28, a former criminal justice doctoral student at Washington State University, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kernodle’s boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, to death at their rental home in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13.
Kohberger was taken into custody at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania on Dec. 30 following an intense nationwide manhunt.
Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger has inspired thousands of people to join online communities supporting him. Paul Martinka
The “Brynation” Reddit channel dedicated to Bryan Kohberger has been “banned for repeatedly violating Reddit’s Moderator Code of Conduct.” Reddit
Kohberger, 28, is facing first-degree murder charges for allegedly killing four University of Idaho students in November. APSince Kohberger’s arrest, supporters have been flocking to social media groups arguing his innocence.
Even as the Reddit channel was banned, at least two Facebook groups with thousands of members each remained active as of Tuesday.
One of the private groups boasts more than 12,600 members. The other has upward of 3,600.
The latter Facebook community, titled “Justice For Bryan Kohberger,” prominently displays a quote from Ronald Jones, a man who was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death for rape and murder, which reads: “It’s about whether or not you can prove you’re innocent. If you can’t prove you’re innocent, then you’re considered guilty. It’s been flipped: Now it’s guilty until proven innocent.”
The final photo of the victims, just hours before their deaths. kayleegoncalves/Instagram
The murders took place on Nov. 13 inside the victims’ rental home in Moscow, Idaho. Kai EiseleinScott Bonn, a criminologist and author of “Why We Love Serial Killers,” said in an interview on NewsNation that there is a “spectrum” when it comes to people fascinated by accused killers.
“On one hand, there’s healthy curiosity, but then on the other hand, it can also become an obsession,” Bonn said.
The Post reported earlier this month that a Kentucky woman has been sending Kohberger love letters and sultry photos of herself after admitting that she is “lovesick” over the suspected murderer.
Kohberger is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on June 26. Getty ImagesBrittney Hislope, a 35-year-old single mom to a 16-year-old son, described Kohberger in a rambling Facebook post as the “perfect man” for her and her “divine masculine counterpart.”
Kohberger has yet to enter a plea, but he has previously said through an attorney that he was “eager to be exonerated.”
He is due back in court for a five-day preliminary hearing beginning on June 26.
