Nearly two years after the brutal murder of four University of Idaho students rocked the nation, a sudden twist in the case has left victims’ families divided and emotions running high.
Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of carrying out the shocking 2022 stabbings, is set to dodge the death penalty thanks to a controversial last-minute plea deal—and not everyone is on board with it.
Kaylee Goncalves’ Family Furious Over the Outcome
The family of 21-year-old Kaylee Goncalves has made it crystal clear—they’re devastated and livid about the plea arrangement that would allow Kohberger to spend the rest of his life behind bars instead of facing execution.
Her father, Steve Goncalves, has refused to even enter the courtroom as a way to protest the decision.
Speaking emotionally outside the courthouse, he said the prosecutors didn’t even pretend to consult the family before making the deal.
“They didn’t negotiate with us. He didn’t even pretend,” Steve said bitterly.
What the Deal Means for Kohberger
The 30-year-old criminology student has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.
In return, he’ll be spared the death penalty and serve life without parole.
The terms of the plea also reportedly strip Kohberger of any rights to appeal the conviction or sentence.
This comes just weeks before his high-profile trial was due to begin in August, potentially lasting several months and reliving horrific details in court.
Victims’ Families Are Deeply Divided
Not all families are aligned in their feelings.
While the Goncalves and Kernodle families have publicly blasted the prosecution for going easy on Kohberger, others, like the Chapin and Mogen families, have chosen to support the deal.
Ben Mogen, Madison’s father, said he believes the deal brings accountability without dragging out years of legal appeals.
The Chapin family agreed, sharing that they want to avoid the pain of a long and emotional trial.
A Protest Outside and Tensions Inside the Courtroom
As Kohberger’s court appearance began, protesters gathered outside, including Steve Goncalves.
Inside, families of Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin waited for the hearing to begin, while Kohberger’s legal team quietly took their seats.
Also seated in the courtroom were Hunter Johnson and Emily Alandt, the students who discovered the victims’ bodies.
The Kohberger Family Breaks Silence
For only the second time since Kohberger’s arrest, his family released a statement.
They asked for privacy and respect as the legal process continues, but avoided making direct comments about the case or the plea deal.
Bryan Kohberger’s father, who previously traveled to Idaho and drove back to Pennsylvania with him before the arrest, has also drawn scrutiny from Kaylee Goncalves’ father, who claims to have evidence of the flight records.
Did Kohberger Know His Victims?
Despite a long investigation, authorities have found no digital links between Kohberger and the victims—or even with the surviving roommates.
However, sources have speculated that Madison Mogen may have been the intended target, with Kaylee Goncalves simply caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The mystery of motive remains unsolved, and the plea deal may mean it never gets fully addressed in court.
Key Questions Still Left Unanswered
While the plea may provide closure for some, others fear it robs them of the truth.
Questions about motive, planning, and exactly what happened that night may never be fully answered now that a trial won’t happen.
Legal experts believe the evidence may eventually be unsealed, but even then, Kohberger isn’t required to explain everything publicly.
Kernodle Family Expresses Outrage
Xana Kernodle’s aunt, Kim Kernodle, told TMZ that prosecutors previously claimed they had enough evidence to convict Kohberger—and she was blindsided by the plea deal.
The family is heartbroken and angry, claiming they weren’t properly informed and rejecting the reasoning that the deal would “spare them pain.”
“I know the graphics,” Kim said. “They were not trying to spare us.”
Community and True Crime Watchers React
Outside the courthouse, members of the public lined up from as early as 4 a.m. Among them were true crime followers who traveled across states to witness the pivotal moment.
Many locals in Moscow, Idaho, expressed conflicting emotions—some are relieved to avoid a prolonged trial, while others echo the outrage of the Goncalves and Kernodle families.
The Prosecutor Faces Growing Criticism
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson is now facing serious backlash.
Kaylee’s family called him “cowardly” and accused him of cutting a deal “with the devil.”
Critics speculate that Thompson, nearing retirement, may have simply wanted to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.
Despite the harsh words, it’s worth noting that only a judge can officially accept or reject the plea, and that decision rests with Judge Steven Hippler.
Could the Deal Still Fall Apart?
There’s always a chance, however slim, that Kohberger could back out of the deal—or that the judge could reject it.
While rare, the judge does have the authority to refuse the agreement, which would send the case to trial in August as originally planned.
The Goncalves family has encouraged supporters to reach out to the court and oppose the plea.
Final Thoughts
Bryan Kohberger’s guilty plea may put an end to legal proceedings, but it has ignited a new wave of grief and division among families already devastated by unimaginable loss.
For some, the deal brings peace. For others, it feels like betrayal.
And for everyone, the lingering questions remain.
