Serial Killer Keith Jesperson Seeks Prison Transfer to Protect Bryan Kohberger

The notorious “Happy Face” serial killer, Keith Jesperson, who murdered at least eight women across multiple states from 1990 to 1995, has expressed a desire to become prison bunkmates with Bryan Kohberger, the man convicted of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022. Jesperson claims that transferring Kohberger to Oregon’s maximum-security prison in Salem might keep him safe from potential threats in the general inmate population.

Jesperson, currently serving life sentences, wrote in a letter to former prison minister and podcaster Keith Rovere that Kohberger’s best chance for safety would be in a protected cell, similar to the arrangement once used for Jeffrey Dahmer, who was murdered in prison in 1994. Jesperson believes this would prevent targeted violence from other inmates who might see Kohberger as weak due to his crimes.

Jesperson warns that Kohberger could become a target if placed among other inmates, noting that he would likely be singled out for being perceived as weak. He predicts that Idaho might place Kohberger in protective custody, similar to Jeffrey Dahmer, although Jesperson cautions that such arrangements have historically ended tragically.

Jesperson’s warnings come as Kohberger is expected to serve his life sentence at Idaho’s maximum-security facility in Kuna. The Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC) performs thorough assessments for new inmates, which can take up to two weeks, to determine their appropriate housing. It’s unclear how authorities will handle housing Kohberger or whether they will consider placing him with other dangerous inmates.