Psych Evaluation Diagnosing Bryan Kohberger with Autism, OCD, Anorexia and Other ‘Mental Health Disorders’ Unsealed

A detailed neuropsychological assessment of Bryan Kohberger has recently become public, shedding light on his mental health status. Kohberger, who has been linked to the murder of four University of Idaho students, reported being diagnosed with four mental health conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). This information was part of a court filing he submitted in February 2025.

The assessment, conducted by Dr Rachel Lawson Orr, an expert in neuropsychology, was previously sealed and has now been made accessible by the courts. It provides intricate details regarding Kohberger’s behaviours and characteristics that contributed to his diagnoses. Alongside the four conditions currently acknowledged, it also highlights four historical disorders he had previously suffered from, including anorexia nervosa.

Dr Orr’s evaluation emerged from a conflict between Kohberger’s defence team and the prosecution, concerning the interpretation of his mental health status. The defence argued that Kohberger’s mental health conditions should be viewed as mitigating circumstances during the trial, whereas prosecutors sought to classify them as aggravating factors. Defence attorney Anne Taylor contended that labelling Kohberger’s mental health and developmental conditions as aggravators was an infringement upon his constitutional rights, likening it to “criminalising his status as a disabled person.”

During the evaluation process, Kohberger met with Dr Orr on six occasions over a three-month span for testing and discussions. Dr Orr’s report highlighted several notable behavioural traits, including a limited range of facial expressions, described as a “stoic effect at baseline.” She observed that his smiles were often subdued, and he displayed inconsistent social smiling patterns. Additionally, Kohberger’s interactions were often characterised by awkwardness, lacking typical social fluidity.

Specific behaviours noted in the assessment included a lack of descriptive gestures, peculiar speech patterns, and difficulties with humour, indicating a struggle with social cues. For example, Kohberger had a habit of redirecting conversations back to his experiences, which often resulted in unexpected or inappropriate responses. He also displayed impulsive behaviours, could rush through tasks, and showed an overall lack of insight into his actions, with only sporadic moments of realisation when prompted to reflect on his behaviour.

The evaluation included input from Kohberger’s family, who shared their experiences and observations related to his social challenges. They highlighted issues such as deficits in non-verbal communication and rigidity in thinking and behaviour, as well as the family’s ongoing efforts to provide social coaching without success.

In summary, Dr Orr diagnosed Kohberger with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1), characterised by high functioning and minimal assistance needed for daily tasks. Kohberger also showed symptoms of OCD, where he engaged in repetitive behaviours to mitigate intrusive thoughts. ADHD was another diagnosis, common among developmental disorders, often manifesting as difficulties in attention, organisation, and focus. Lastly, ARFID was identified, marked by highly selective eating habits that pose risks of malnutrition.

Additionally, Dr Orr noted that Kohberger had previously met criteria for Developmental Coordination Disorder, an unspecified depressive disorder, anorexia nervosa, and Opioid Use Disorder, linked to a past heroin addiction. Notably, this opioid addiction is currently in remission, as per the evaluation.

Despite these complex mental health issues, Kohberger did not attempt to use them as a basis for claiming he was not of sound mind during his plea. He was aware that a guilty plea would lead to significant prison time, specifically four life sentences in conjunction with an extra ten years for a burglary charge. On July 2, 2025, Kohberger entered a guilty plea concerning the murders of four students: Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

Three weeks following his plea, Kohberger received a formal sentencing of four life sentences without the possibility of parole. However, in July 2026, he sought to overturn his guilty plea, citing ineffective assistance from his legal counsel. As of now, prosecutors have yet to respond to this latest motion, leaving open the potential for further legal proceedings.