The parents of University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves are speaking publicly about their effort to forgive Bryan Kohberger as he tries to withdraw the guilty plea that sent him to prison for life. The Goncalves family has made clear that the case still cuts deeply as the convicted killer seeks to undo the deal that ended his death-penalty exposure.
Kohberger pleaded guilty in 2025 to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in a deal that spared him the death penalty. He later received four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus 10 years for burglary. Despite that outcome, he is now asking a judge to reverse the plea. In an interview on “Hang Out with Sean Hannity,” Kaylee Goncalves’ mother, Kristi Goncalves, said the Bible calls for forgiveness, but added that Kohberger has not asked for it and has shown no remorse. “So, what, do we forgive him?” she asked.
The killings of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin took place in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, after Kohberger entered the house through a sliding glass door, according to the account cited in the case. His DNA was found on a knife sheath left at the scene. Kristi Goncalves said she cannot stop thinking about what happened inside the home that night and said she sees him as deeply evil. She also said her daughter was left unrecognizable after severe facial injuries. Steve Goncalves described the murders as the result of Kohberger’s sick fantasy and said the family views him as soulless.
