Does Bryan Kohberger Exhibit Narcissistic Traits? A Look at the Psychology Behind the Idaho Murder Case

From cold courtroom demeanor to a lack of remorse, Kohberger's behavior raises serious questions about narcissism, psychopathy, and the psychology of violence.

In recent weeks, Bryan Kohberger—who was charged with the brutal murder of four University of Idaho students—pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal. What stood out was not only his admission of guilt but also the chilling lack of emotion, remorse, or explanation for his actions during the proceedings. His blank demeanor, especially during the heart-wrenching victim impact statements, has led many to wonder: does he exhibit narcissistic or other pathological traits?

Alivea Goncalves, the older sister of one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves, delivered a scathing victim impact statement. She called Kohberger a sociopath, psychopath, and delusional, all of which align with traits seen in malignant narcissism. While this language is not clinical, it powerfully articulates what many perceive as the emotional and moral void behind his crimes.

"No guilt, no remorse, no apprehension… Disappointments like you thrive on pain, on fear, and on the illusion of power." — Alivea Goncalves

While we can’t—and shouldn’t—diagnose anyone from afar, Kohberger's behavior does present consistent signals worth examining.

Cold Behavior and Lack of Remorse

Kohberger pleaded guilty without providing any motive, emotional insight, or apology. For families hoping for answers, his silence likely deepened their grief. Psychologically, a lack of remorse is often associated with antisocial personality disorder or malignant narcissism, where empathy is absent, and external validation or control becomes the primary goal.

Courtroom Demeanor: Mask or Mirror?

Throughout the sentencing and impact statements, Kohberger remained emotionless. This could be a calculated defense mechanism or a true reflection of his emotional landscape. In narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), individuals often wear a "mask" of control or superiority—while internally harboring deep insecurities. Those with malignant narcissism or psychopathy, however, might not just mask empathy—they may lack it altogether.

Is Kohberger Narcissistic?

Narcissism is more than arrogance; it involves:

• Grandiose self-image

• Entitlement

• Lack of empathy

• Exploitative behavior

• Deep need for validation

Alivea’s words aligned eerily well with these characteristics:

“You thought you were elite because your online IQ test from 2010 told you so... You thought you could figure out the human psyche... You act like none can ever understand your mind.”

Her statement painted a portrait of someone who deeply craved to feel special, traits commonly found in narcissistic pathology. She even questioned his desire for notoriety, suggesting he might have orchestrated these acts to gain recognition.

Psychopathy vs. Narcissism

While narcissism may explain some of Kohberger’s behaviors, experts might also consider psychopathy, which includes:

• Superficial charm

• Manipulativeness

• Lack of remorse or guilt

• Shallow affect (emotional shallowness)

• Criminal versatility

Psychopathy, particularly the “cold” subtype, overlaps with malignant narcissism. The emotionless demeanor, lack of regret, and possibly calculated nature of the crime may suggest deeper antisocial or psychopathic tendencies.

What Was He Thinking During Alivea's Statement?

We can only speculate, but psychological possibilities include:

• Emotional detachment: He may have dissociated, refusing to feel or engage emotionally.

• Narcissistic self-defense: He might have viewed the speech as beneath him or irrelevant.

• Contempt: He could have interpreted the statements as a loss of control—further feeding internal resentment.

What was most evident was that Kohberger did not indicate that the human suffering in that room moved him.

Alivea Goncalves may not be a psychologist, but her insight cut to the bone of something many are afraid to say aloud: what kind of mind commits such horror and feels nothing afterward? Kohberger’s actions and demeanor—while not conclusive of a narcissistic personality disorder diagnosis—present a chilling overlap with narcissistic, psychopathic, and antisocial traits.

Whether he was seeking attention, power, or simply a sense of being "special," what’s left behind is an irrefutable truth: no emotion, no explanation, and no empathy. Whether these behaviors were driven by a grandiose view of self, a fractured need for attention, or a cold void where empathy should reside, Kohberger now lives in a cage of his own making—one built by his silence.

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