The night of November 13, 2022, began like any other for Xana Kernodle.
But it would end in unimaginable horror, as she found herself fighting for her life in the most violent way possible.
In a newly unsealed court filing obtained by PEOPLE, disturbing details from Kernodle’s autopsy have revealed the sheer brutality of the attack she endured.
She fought fiercely, even though she was unarmed and her attacker, Bryan Kohberger, was armed with a KA-BAR knife.
Xana, just 20 years old, had been one of the four victims murdered that night at the University of Idaho’s off-campus rental home in Moscow.
Three of her friends—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, and Ethan Chapin—were killed without a chance to defend themselves, according to their autopsy reports.
But Kernodle’s death was different.
She was not asleep in bed when Kohberger entered her home; she was awake, having ordered food and eating it in the kitchen when the terror began.
The crime scene evidence suggests that she heard strange noises from upstairs and went to investigate, likely encountering Kohberger after he had already brutally murdered Mogen and Goncalves.
After witnessing the horrifying scene, Kernodle likely ran back downstairs to her bedroom in a desperate attempt to escape.
But Kohberger pursued her, and what followed was a fight for survival that would leave Kernodle with 67 stab wounds.
The violence of the attack was overwhelming.
According to Kernodle’s autopsy, she suffered 23 stab and incised wounds to her face, neck, and scalp.
Seven stab wounds to her chest, four to her abdomen, and three to her back were also found.
Her body bore 25 incised wounds on her upper extremities and five on her lower extremities.
Despite the overwhelming nature of the attack, Kernodle’s body showed signs of a fierce struggle.
Blood was found on the bottom of her feet, and her body had visible signs of wiped blood—evidence of her attempts to fight back as she was repeatedly stabbed by Kohberger.
Kernodle’s wounds were deep and catastrophic, with punctures to the outer shell of her skull and severe damage to her jugular vein, heart, lungs, and pulmonary blood vessels.
Hemorrhaging occurred in her chest cavities, and wounds extended into the bones of her right hand—suggesting she tried to block or defend herself.
Her face, torso, and extremities also bore scrapes and bruises, adding to the evidence that she fought bravely in the face of terror.
Kernodle’s body was found just a few feet from her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, who was murdered before he even had a chance to stand up, according to his autopsy.
It is believed that Kernodle and Chapin were in close proximity during the attack.
Traces of Kernodle’s blood and DNA were found under Chapin’s right hand, while Chapin’s blood and DNA were discovered under both of Kernodle’s hands.
This suggests they were together in their final moments, both victims of the same brutal attacker.
The evidence gathered from the crime scene paints a grim picture of the chaos that unfolded that night.
Kohberger’s pursuit of Kernodle is supported by blood transfer stains found on the stairwell and bannister leading from the second to the third floor of the home, as well as on the walls near Kernodle’s bedroom.
The fact that the blood of both Mogen and Goncalves was found in these areas suggests that Kohberger was not just attacking his victims in the bedrooms but also moving around the house, chasing his final victim, Kernodle, as she tried to flee.
Once Kohberger reached her, the violent confrontation began.
The brutal stab wounds she endured were a testament to her bravery.
However, the physical damage was extensive.
The wounds penetrated deep into her bones, with cuts extending into the bones of her right hand, indicating that she may have tried to use her hands to block or defend against the blows.
Her body was found mere feet away from Chapin, who was also tragically murdered in his sleep.
There is another striking aspect to Kernodle’s autopsy report: the evidence suggesting that she and Chapin were in close proximity during the attack.
Blood and DNA found under Chapin’s fingernails matched Kernodle’s, while traces of Chapin’s blood were found under Kernodle’s nails.
This indicates that, despite the horror they were both experiencing, they may have been reaching out for each other in their final moments.
It’s a heartbreaking image that underscores the tragedy of their deaths.
The bloodstains found in the crime scene paint a clear picture of the final moments of Kernodle’s life.
She fought as she was chased, refusing to be an easy victim despite the overwhelming odds stacked against her.
Her resistance likely played a crucial role in Kohberger’s eventual capture.
Kernodle’s bravery in the face of such unimaginable horror ensured that investigators were able to piece together the critical evidence needed to catch Kohberger.
It’s believed that Kohberger’s KA-BAR knife sheath, which was left behind at the crime scene, helped law enforcement link him directly to the murders.
The bloody evidence left behind was key in identifying him as the perpetrator, despite his efforts to cover his tracks.
Kernodle’s resistance and the traces of blood she left behind were crucial in linking Kohberger to the crime.
Had she not fought back so fiercely, Kohberger may have slipped away undetected, leaving only a few clues behind.
But because of Xana Kernodle’s courageous fight for her life, the police were able to gather the evidence needed to arrest Kohberger.
Kernodle’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable violence.
Even in her final moments, she chose to fight, and in doing so, she became the reason for the arrest and conviction of her killer.
Kernodle’s bravery will not be forgotten.
Her story will live on as a symbol of the strength that lies within us all, and as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, we can summon the courage to fight for our lives.
Xana Kernodle may have lost her life that night, but her fight for survival—and the evidence she left behind—will forever be a part of the story that brought her killer to justice.
Her bravery in those final moments will be remembered, not just by those who knew her, but by everyone who hears her story.
Kernodle’s unyielding resistance ensured that justice was served and that Bryan Kohberger could not slip quietly into the night.
Thanks to her, he will never be allowed to escape the consequences of his actions.
