Part 8/11:
Despite his academic accomplishments, Coberger’s behavior at Washington State University swiftly unraveled. His inability to keep his misogynistic views hidden resulted in multiple disciplinary confrontations, ultimately culminating in the loss of his teaching position. By the time the murders occurred, there was a clear indication that he had burned all bridges, with nothing left to lose.
Ward suggests that this period of personal and academic turmoil pushed Coberger towards executing a "perfect crime"—a heinous act with minimal evidence to link him initially. The critical mistake was leaving the knife sheath at the scene, which contained his DNA, that eventually became a pivotal piece of evidence.