Parents Discover Their Teen Son’s Horrifying Secret: The Chilling Case of Brian Kohi Jr.

A Mother’s Worst Nightmare Unfolds

On March 1st, 2021, in Grand Junction, Colorado, a frantic call shattered the early morning calm. Terry Kohi, voice trembling, dialed 911:
“I found something in my son’s closet, wrapped in a plastic bag. I think… I think it’s a human head.”

Just outside, her 19-year-old son Brian was oblivious, chatting with friends. Inside, Terry had uncovered a secret so dark, it would shock even the most seasoned detectives.

The Days Before: A Series of Red Flags

Only a day earlier, Brian had been at the center of a bizarre scene. His car, a Ford 500, was found partially submerged in the Colorado River at a local boat ramp. Police, believing it a teenage mishap, laughed off the incident as Brian explained he’d simply gotten stuck while “clearing his head.” They noticed a strange red stain on the car’s bumper, but accepted Brian’s explanation that it was nothing.

But the truth was far more sinister.

A Missing Man, A Gruesome Discovery

Meanwhile, across town, friends of Warren Barnes—a well-known homeless man—were growing worried. He hadn’t shown up for work, something he’d never done in years. His wallet was found in the glove compartment of Brian’s waterlogged car. The pieces were starting to come together, but no one was prepared for what Terry would find next.

As she cleaned Brian’s room, Terry noticed a heavy, foul-smelling bag in his closet. Inside, she discovered a human head and hands, carefully wrapped and hidden. Overwhelmed by horror, she called police, who arrived quietly to avoid alarming Brian.

The Chilling Confession

Police calmly approached Brian, who, to their shock, admitted everything without hesitation:
“Yes, it’s a human head and hands. I killed someone.”

In the interrogation room, Brian was eerily cooperative—almost eager to talk. He described, in chilling detail, how he’d stalked Warren Barnes, a vulnerable homeless man, under a bridge during a full moon. Wearing gloves and armed with a kitchen knife, Brian attacked Warren as he slept, stabbing him repeatedly in the neck until he died.

But the horror didn’t end there. Brian described how he mutilated the body—decapitating Warren, severing his hands, and cutting open his torso “out of curiosity.” He placed the head and hands in bags, hid them in his closet, and disposed of the rest of the body in the river, leading to the car mishap that nearly exposed his crime.

A Disturbing Mindset

Brian’s confession was not only detailed, but disturbingly casual. He explained that he’d always been fascinated by forensics, crime, and serial killers—his favorite being Jeffrey Dahmer. He admitted to killing a neighbor’s cat years earlier, describing the act with the same chilling detachment.

His motivation? Pure, morbid curiosity. Brian told detectives,
“I always wondered what murder would feel like. Bundy and the Zodiac said it was the best feeling in the world. I wanted to try it.”

He showed no remorse for Warren’s death, only regret that he was now caught and couldn’t play video games or see friends.

Warning Signs and Missed Opportunities

Looking back, the signs were everywhere. Brian’s teachers, friends, and even his parents had noticed his obsession with violence, dark humor, and crime. He’d written disturbing stories, collected “kill kits,” and even dressed as serial killers for Halloween. Yet, despite suspensions and counseling, no one imagined he would take a life.

His parents described him as odd, but never violent.
“We thought we were doing everything right. He worked a job, graduated high school, never got into fights. We just didn’t see this coming.”

The Aftermath: Justice and Reflection

Brian was charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but a jury rejected his defense. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Warren Barnes, remembered as a gentle soul who loved books, was honored with a metal art memorial in downtown Grand Junction.

A Haunting Question

This case leaves us with a chilling question: How could a seemingly ordinary teenager commit such unspeakable acts under his family’s roof, right under their noses? Was it unchecked mental illness, a fascination with evil, or a perfect storm of missed warning signs?

Tell us your thoughts—could this tragedy have been prevented? What would you have done differently?
If you have another case you want us to cover, let us know in the comments. Until next time, stay safe, and never ignore the darkness that may be lurking closer than you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvrp87VXtD4