In a chilling twist to an already grim saga, Keith Jesperson, infamously known as the Happy Face Killer, has expressed a peculiar interest in having Bryan Kohberger, the convicted Idaho student murderer, as a potential cellmate in Oregon's maximum-security prison. Jesperson, serving multiple life sentences for the murders of at least eight women in the 1990s, argues that transferring Kohberger to Oregon could shield him from the violent threats he’s likely to face in Idaho.

Jesperson, who earned his sinister nickname by taunting media and investigators with smiley faces on his letters, penned notes suggesting that Oregon’s prison system offers a safer haven for high-profile inmates like Kohberger. He even plans to urge Idaho authorities to consider the move, citing the intense security risks of keeping Kohberger in his home state. Oregon does participate in a regional agreement to house out-of-state prisoners for safety reasons, though Idaho isn’t part of this pact.

Kohberger, who recently avoided the death penalty through a plea deal, will serve life without parole for the brutal 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students—Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. His social awkwardness, highlighted in court through diagnoses like autism and descriptions of an 'intense gaze,' could make him a prime target behind bars, according to experts and Jesperson himself. Reports of his rigid demeanor and lack of remorse during hearings only add to concerns about his survival in prison.

While Idaho officials prioritize safety in housing decisions, they’ve given no indication of considering Jesperson’s suggestion. Kohberger is currently in isolation at Idaho Maximum Security Institution, awaiting a final housing determination after evaluation. Yet, Jesperson warns that even protective custody might not save him, drawing a grim parallel to Jeffrey Dahmer’s fate—beaten to death by a fellow inmate in 1994.

The case continues to grip the nation, not just for its brutality but for the eerie dynamics now unfolding behind prison walls. Will Kohberger’s notorious profile and perceived vulnerabilities mark him for danger, or will an unexpected alliance—or transfer—change his fate?

Prison System News

Happy Face Killer Pushes for Bryan Kohberger as Cellmate to Solve Prison Safety Woes