Bryan Kohberger sentencing: Idaho college student killer sentenced to life in prison
Bryan Kohberger has pleaded guilty to all counts.
Last updated: Thursday, July 24, 2025 10:09AM GMT
A judge sentenced Bryan Kohberger to serve four life sentences without parole for the brutal stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students nearly three years ago.
In Wednesday's hearing, families of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Kaylee Goncalves described the anguish they've felt since their loved ones were killed in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022.
Xana Kernodle's family began testimony after a 10-minute break
Jazzmin Kernodle, her sister, said she was unsure if she would be capable of testifying Wednesday.
Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho.
"I believe in a god whose justice is not bound by this courtroom," she said.
Xana Kernodle's father, Jeff Kernodle, testified next.
"On my way up here, flying up here on the plane, about halfway through the flight a little girl was calling out for her dad. 'dad, dad, dad,'" he said. For a minute, it sounded like Xana, he said.
When Xana Kernodle was gone, Jeff Kernodle said he realized how important his daughter was.
The way she influenced him was "way beyond what I ever thought," he said.
Jul 23, 2025, 4:33 PM GMT
Kristi Goncalves continued her family's polemic against Kohberger
"You're not that good. In fact you're not that good at anything. You couldn't secure a job, you couldn't get along well with others," she said.
Goncalves said she was disappointed that Kohberger wouldn't be executed by firing squad and reveled in how he would suffer in prison.
"You will always be remembered as a loser, an absolute failure," she said.
"Hell will be waiting," Goncalves' mother said.
Her testimony was also followed by applause.
Jul 23, 2025, 4:34 PM GMT
Kaylee Goncalves' mom: 'Hell will be waiting'
Kaylee's mom, Kristi Goncalves, said to Bryan Kohberger that "hell will be waiting."
"You are nothing. May you continue to live your life in misery. You are officially the property of the state of Idaho, where your fellow inmates are anxiously awaiting your arrival," she said.
Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen addressed Bryan Kohberger in court.
Jul 23, 2025, 4:56 PM GMT
Kaylee Goncalves' sister: They 'were not yours to take'
Kaylee's sister, Alivea Goncalves, said to Bryan Kohberger, "My sister Kaylee and her best friend Maddie were not yours to take. They were not yours to study, to stalk or to silence."
Alivea Goncalves, sister of victim Kaylee Goncalves speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho.
"They're everything you could never be: loved, accepted, vibrant, accomplished, brave and powerful," she said.
"They would've been kind to you. If you had approached them in their everyday lives, they would've given you directions, thanked you for the compliment. ... In a world that rejected you, they would've shown mercy," she said.
Goncalves said she "won't stand here and give you want you want": tears and trembling.
She called him a "sociopath, psychopath, murderer," before asking him a series of questions.
Her questions included, "Where is the murder weapon, the clothes you wore that night? What did you bring into the house with you? ... What were Kaylee's last words?"
"You didn't win. ... You're a delusional, pathetic, hypochondriac loser who thought you were so much smarter than everybody else," she said.
"You aren't special or deep, not mysterious or exceptional. Don't ever get it twisted again. No one is scared of you today. No one is intimidated by you, no one is impressed by you, no one thinks you are important," she said.