'Happy Face Killer' wants Bryan Kohberger to be his cellmate
Share this @internewscast.com

(NewsNation) — Bryan Kohberger has an unexpected ally in the form of serial killer Keith Jesperson, also known as the “Happy Face Killer.”

Jesperson shared on “The Lighter Side of True Crime” that he thinks Kohberger’s best option would be to move to the Oregon State Penitentiary, where Jesperson himself is serving a life sentence. Kohberger is currently in Idaho’s maximum-security prison, serving four life terms.

“Kohberger’s ideal move is to relocate to Oregon and serve his time there,” Jesperson mentioned to the podcast. “… It would be a suitable environment for him to settle into.”

Jesperson believes Kohberger’s crimes and his reported quirks will make Kohberger a target, and perhaps worse.

“He will encounter challenges, don’t get me wrong,” Jesperson admitted about Kohberger adapting to Oregon. “However, the difficulties he might face in Idaho could be harsher.”

Bryan Kohberger transfer ‘unlikely’: Keith Rovere

Keith Rovere, the host of “The Lighter Side of True Crime with Keith Rovere,” appeared on “Banfield” on Wednesday to talk about his conversation with Jesperson.

While noting prison transfers “happen more than you think,” he said it would be “very difficult” for Kohberger to be moved.

Rovere revealed to NewsNation that he believes Jesperson has already sent a letter to Idaho’s supermax facility and plans to write to Kohberger, following his habit of reaching out to infamous criminals like Charles Manson and Rex Heuermann.

Kohberger is “going to have a hard time” in prison for killing women in the fashion he did, according to Rovere.

“His intense stare is unwavering, even during the victim impact statements. It’s a fixed gaze that could present issues,” Rovere added.

Who is the ‘Happy Face Killer’?

Jesperson was convicted of killing eight women, earning his nickname by drawing smiling faces on many of his letters to the media and authorities before being arrested in 1995.

He claimed he killed as many as 160 people while working as a trucker, but only eight victims were confirmed.

Although Jesperson committed his killings in the 1990s, some of his victims have only recently been identified. A woman he called “Carla” or “Cindy,” who was killed in 1993, was identified as Patricia Skiple in 2022, and a woman he referred to only as “Suzanne,” killed in 1994, was identified as Suzanne L. Kjellenberg in 2023.

Jesperson is known to write to various public figures and has sent notes and art to NewsNation’s own Ashleigh Banfield and Laura Ingle.

Bryan Kohberger’s new home

Kohberger was transferred from the Ada County Jail to the Idaho Maximum Security Institution after receiving four life sentences for fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in 2022.

Kohberger will likely be held in long-term, restricted housing and what’s known as closed and protective custody. This type of housing is meant for prisoners who could be injured by inmates in the general population or who could hurt others.

Those inmates spend 23 hours a day inside their cells, with food and water fed through doors into their cells. When Entin was in the cellblock, he saw inmates engaging in a practice called “fishing,” which involves using strings from blankets or T-shirts to send notes under their doors.

NewsNation’s Steph Whiteside contributed to this report.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Trump Reportedly Eyes Naming Rights for New Commanders Stadium

According to a report released on Saturday, President Trump is actively advocating…

Understanding the ‘Tattoo Flu’: Causes and Effects Explained

(NEXSTAR) – If you’re planning to get some new ink, be prepared…

Brace for Impact: Storm Team 3 Predicts Storm Surge and Dramatic Temperature Drop

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Prepare for a mix of mild and humid weather…

Tragic Loss: Dallas Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland Dies by Suicide, Police Confirm

Editor’s Note: This article includes discussions on the topic of suicide. Reader…

Storm Team 3 Forecast: Brace for a Sunny Weekend Before Cold Front Hits Next Week

SAVANNAH, Ga. () – A dramatic weather shift is on the horizon…

Tragic Incident in Ybor: Speeding Vehicle Claims 4 Lives, Injures 11 Others

In TAMPA (WFLA), a tragic collision in Ybor early Saturday claimed four…

Blue Ridge FFA Chapter Earns Top 10 National Distinction with Prestigious Highest Rating

BLUE RIDGE, Ill. (WCIA) — In a stunning achievement, Blue Ridge’s high…

Tragic Fall Claims Life of 65-Year-Old Man Near Grand Canyon West Skywalk

A tragic accident claimed the life of a 65-year-old man who fell…

Spotty Invaders: What Tennessee Residents Need to Know About the Insect Surge in Homes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Residents across Tennessee are noticing unwelcome visitors in their…

Tariffs Drive Offshore Wind Project Costs to $11.2 Billion

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The ambitious Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, poised…

Captivating Images: Celebrate Veterans Day with Parades Across the Region

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — On Saturday, several communities across the region…

Unveiling the Race for a Share of $50 Billion in Rural Health Investments

States are in a race to secure their portion of a newly…