Idaho murderer Bryan Kohberger reportedly collects private funds despite claiming he is too broke to pay families of slain University of Idaho students

Bryan Kohberger, the man serving a life sentence for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students, is once again back in the spotlight — this time over money.

Prosecutors now say the convicted killer has been receiving “financial compensation,” despite claiming he can’t afford to pay restitution to the victims’ families.

The Murders That Shocked Idaho

The 30-year-old former criminology PhD student became a household name in November 2022 when he broke into an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.

There, he murdered four students — Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20 — in an attack that horrified the small college town.

Following his conviction, Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

As part of his plea deal, he agreed the state could seek restitution to cover funeral costs and other financial support provided to the victims’ families through the Idaho Crime Victim Compensation Fund.

Kohberger Says He’s Too Poor to Pay

But earlier this month, court documents revealed that Kohberger refused to pay additional damages.

His defense team argued that he “has no ability” to provide restitution since he’s serving four consecutive life sentences and is, essentially, penniless behind bars.

However, state prosecutors quickly pushed back on that claim.

They argued that Kohberger has received money not only from family members but also from complete strangers intrigued by his high-profile case.

“In this case, there is a history of the defendant receiving financial compensation from family and third parties,” prosecutors stated in their filing.

They also suggested the ongoing global attention around the case could bring him future funds — money that the state intends to intercept if possible.

Hidden Evidence and Legal Disputes

The prosecution’s filing included a sealed exhibit — details that are not available to the public — which reportedly contains proof of Kohberger’s financial transactions.

At sentencing, Judge Steven Hippler had already ordered Kohberger to pay a total of $251,227.50 in criminal fines and fees, plus $20,000 to each victim’s family and nearly $29,000 in reimbursements for funeral and related expenses.

But in September, prosecutors filed a new motion requesting an additional $20,409.32 for Kaylee Goncalves’s parents, Kristi and Steve, and $6,920.32 for Madison Mogen’s mother, Karen Laramie.

Kohberger’s defense team responded by saying the extra request was unfair — pointing out that both families had already received significant financial help through GoFundMe campaigns.

GoFundMe Campaigns Spark Further Tension

The defense detailed several online fundraisers created for the victims’ families, including one joint campaign that raised $73,493, another for Mogen’s family totaling $48,815, and one for the Goncalves family that brought in $85,583.

According to the defense, those funds covered the travel and lodging costs for families who needed to attend court proceedings, particularly after the trial was moved from Latah County to Boise at the defense’s request — a move that significantly increased travel expenses.

After Kohberger eventually accepted a plea deal — avoiding the death penalty and canceling the trial — the Goncalves family even announced plans to refund unused donations to their supporters.

Still, the defense insisted that the families “did not suffer an economic loss” for which the state is now demanding compensation.

They added that whether refunds were issued or not should have no bearing on Kohberger’s financial responsibility.

What Happens Next

Kohberger’s attorneys confirmed that he is waiving his right to appear in any future hearing related to this issue, though no date has yet been set.

For the families of the four students — who have spent nearly three years fighting for justice — the legal wrangling over restitution adds another painful chapter to an already devastating story.

While prosecutors argue that Kohberger has more financial means than he admits, his defense continues to maintain that life in prison leaves him with nothing to give.