The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy

The term “incel” is short for “involuntary celibate” and refers to an online subculture of (mostly) men who blame women for their sexual frustration. Incels often articulate misogynistic anger rooted in the belief that women owe them sex. In the book, incel ideology plays a critical role in framing Kohberger’s mindset. This is particularly evident in Parts 3 and 4, where Kohberger begins adopting incel language like “Becky” and “Stacy” to categorize and demean women. The affiliation links Kohberger to Elliot Rodger, whose 2014 murders became a touchstone in incel communities and whose manifesto and video Kohberger studied. The book shows how immersion in these spaces fosters a sense of grievance and entitlement that also isolates individuals from real-world community and accountability. By contextualizing Kohberger’s escalating misogyny within the incel movement, the authors highlight the dangers of toxic digital subcultures that normalize violence and self-pity.

This is a forensic technique that takes DNA samples from a crime scene and compares them to genetic information in public databases to identify potential suspects. As more and more people use services like Ancestry.com and 23 and Me to investigate their genetic backgrounds, the reach of this technology expands. The book details how IGG became a turning point in this case, as DNA from the knife sheath allowed investigators to narrow their search to the Kohberger family line. Within the narrative, IGG is portrayed as both a triumph of science and a point of debate about privacy and due process.