Suspected killer Bryan Kohberger was seen mouthing “I love you” to his shocked family members as they gathered to support him at his extradition hearing following his arrest over the murders of four University of Idaho students.
On Tuesday, Mr Kohberger appeared at the Monroe County Courthouse in Pennsylvania where he waived his extradition rights, paving the way for him to be transported from Pennsylvania to Idaho to face murder charges.
The 28-year-old criminology PhD student was shackled and handcuffed as he was led into the courtroom.
The suspect’s parents and sisters were present at the court, breaking cover for the first time since his arrest when they arrived at the courthouse minutes earlier.
During the hearing, Mr Kohberger was seen nodding at his family members, as his mother sat in the gallery visibly upset.
At one point, the suspect was spotted mouthing “I love you” at his loved ones – who have vowed to support him throughout the legal process. Observers described him as “stoic” and unemotive in the courtroom.
"They (family) don’t believe it to be Bryan. They can’t believe this," Monroe County, Pennsylvania, public defender Jason LaBar told NBC. "They’re obviously shocked. This is certainly completely out of character, the allegations, and really they’re just trying to be supportive.”
On Wednesday morning, Mr Kohberger began the extradition journey back to Idaho.
The Kohberger family released a statement on Sunday sharing their condolences with the families of slain University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, while still offering their support for Mr Kohberger.
“There are no words that can adequately express the sadness we feel, and we pray each day for them,” the statement read.
The family added that it will “promote [Mr Kohberger’s] presumption of innocence rather than judge unknown facts and make erroneous assumptions” and “will love and support our son and brother.”
The family of Kaylee Goncalves has vowed to face Mr Kohberger in court.
“I want him to be sick of seeing us and sick of knowing that these people won’t let it go,” Steve Goncalves told NBC News on Monday.
“You know, it’s a battle of wills, and we’ll see who wins.”
Even though Mr Kohberger is in custody and facing an eventual trial, conspiracy theories about him have continued to proliferate.
The bar where two of the slain University of Idaho students spent their final hours has pushed back against a rumour that accused killer Mr Kohberger visited on the night of the murders.
The Corner Club denied the rumour on Twitter before slamming the media and members of the public for reaching out about the theory.
"Suspect was not and has not been here. No one was removed from the bar the evening of the incident. Stop calling us," the bar tweeted on Tuesday.
