Bryan Kohberger Case: Kaylee Goncalves’ Family Gets Threatening Texts

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Kaylee Goncalves‘ family is facing another concern amid their grief journey.

After Kristi Goncalves, the mother of the University of Idaho student, delivered an emotional victim impact statement during Bryan Kohberger’s sentencing for the 2022 murders of her daughter and three of her roommates, they received a menacing text message while still in the courtroom.

The text Kristi received on July 23 and was shared on NewsNation’s Banfield on July 26 reads, “It’s comical to sit near you in court and watch you, but here’s the thing: You know Bryan is innocent. Threatening Bryan with being harmed in prison seems foolish. I have connections with many serial killers.

A mysterious individual, asserting familiarity with Dennis Rader, the BTK killer, mentioned, “I’ve been connected with an aspiring serial killer residing in Moscow, Idaho. I’ve shared your address with him.

Following the alarming text messages, Steve Goncalves (Kaylee’s father) informed reporter Brian Entin that they have forwarded the message to their lawyer, who is currently collaborating with law enforcement to trace the sender of the texts.

Additionally, he mentioned that the family suspects the culprit is residing in a different state, stating, “They seized the opportunity given it was live television, as what she said could be used.

Steve emphasized, “They will face consequences for their actions. It means one fewer individual causing trouble or disturbing families in public.

The leader strongly stressed that it’s quite common for individuals who are considered unconventional or eccentric to be drawn to such gatherings.

As a devoted follower, I’m expressing that we, the Goncalves family, are thankful for the chance we had on July 23 to convey our sentiments to Bryan. However, instead of uplifting or supporting him, we unfortunately chose to make fun and diminish his standing.

For the first time, Steve established the direction, and he aimed to exert influence in that courtroom and suggest certain points to him. Consequently, he was merely listening as we made our arguments,” Steve explained. “Given the circumstances, I am grateful for the court’s understanding. It proved to be quite beneficial.

Certainly, Kristi, along with her daughter Alivea Goncalves, vociferously criticized Bryan. This individual was sentenced to spend four life terms in prison for the murders of Kaylee, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

In my dedication to following Kristi’s guidance, I found myself zeroing in on the topic of Bryan’s life within prison. I made it a point to convey to him a stark reality: “You are stepping into an environment where individuals won’t care about your identity and respect will never be freely given.

She remarked, “Over time, you’ll be left behind, cast aside, utilized and effaced.” She predicted that you’d forever be seen as a loser and an utter disappointment. When the prison gates close on you, may that sound resound in your heart for the remainder of your unremarkable life. May it serve as a reminder of what everyone has come to understand: you’re insignificant.

Besides the message she relayed, it was also a note from their youngest child, Aubrie. She expressed that she’d like Bryan to know, “Even though you got As in high school, you’ll be receiving Fs, more specifically Ds, in prison.

For more about Bryan Kohberger’s trial, keep reading.

As a lifestyle advisor, I’d like to share some insights about five vibrant young individuals who were part of the University of Idaho community. Among them were Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, all in their twenties. These students resided together off-campus, each contributing their unique energy to the apartment and the university life.

On the chilly night of November 12, 2022, I, a dedicated fan, found myself eagerly anticipating the return home of my beloved quartet – Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin. The former two had chosen a nearby sports bar as their evening sanctuary, while the latter pair were immersed in camaraderie at Chapin’s fraternity party. As the clock struck midnight, I could only imagine the laughter and shared experiences they must have been having, oblivious to the events that would unfold come morning.

By 2 a.m., however, my curiosity was piqued as I visualized them reunited once more at their three-story rental residence, their night of revelry drawing to an end. Little did they know, the course of their lives was about to take a drastic turn, and the secrets hidden within those walls would soon be unveiled.

Goncalves, a senior student majoring in general studies at the College of Arts and Humanities, was anticipated to graduate in December. Afterward, she planned to move to Austin, Texas, for a job at a marketing firm, as her friend Jordyn Quesnell shared with The New York Times.

Mogen, a marketing student, has been close friends with Goncalves since the sixth grade. According to family friend Jessie Frost, she intends to relocate to Boise following graduation. This information was reported by The Idaho Statesman.

At one point, Kernodle was a student majoring in marketing, as stated. She and Chapin, who specialized in recreation, sport, and tourism management, had been together since spring, according to their neighbor Ellie McKnight, who shared this information with NBC News.

On the day of the murders, roommates Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke were present at home. Text messages, unsealed on March 6, 2025, revealed that Mortensen and Funke attempted to reach their other roommates after Mortensen spotted a masked individual moving around their house on November 13th, as detailed in documents obtained by TopMob News.

“No one is answering,” Mortensen texted Funke at 4:22 a.m. “I’m rlly confused rn.”

She persistently tried contacting her roommates, encouraging them to reply. At 4:32 a.m., she messaged Goncalves saying, “Please respond,” and later repeated the request at 10:23 a.m., asking, “Are you awake?

Around 11:58 a.m., someone made a 911 call following the discovery of an unresponsive individual, Kernodle, according to extra details obtained by TopMob News. In the transcript, a woman identified as A1 explained the current state of affairs to the operator.

She mentioned that one of the roommates is still unconscious, likely from being intoxicated the previous night, and they can’t seem to wake her up,” she shared over the phone. “Apparently, they spotted a stranger in their home last night.

Bryan Kohberger, now facing charges for four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, was a Ph.D. student at Washington State University. Approximately one month after the bodies of Gonclaves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin were found, Kohberger was apprehended in Monroe County, Pennsylvania on December 30th. He was transferred to Idaho on January 4th, 2023.

In relation to the connection between him and the murders, it was discovered that DNA matched his profile on a knife sheath abandoned at the crime site, according to court documents presented by NBC News in June 2023.

When the DNA didn’t correspond with anyone in the FBI database, law enforcement agencies submitted the DNA for matching on popular ancestry websites, generating a pool of possible suspects based on court documents. Upon discovering that Kohberger had visited his parents’ residence in Monroe County, local authorities scoured their trash and identified DNA links to the one found at the crime scene.

Currently, the reason behind the attack isn’t fully disclosed due to a court order that limits public discussion by those involved. Nevertheless, some light has been shed on their initial lines of argument through unveiled court documents. (NBC News reported this.)

Lawyers for Kohberger submitted a motion, made public by TopMob News, to remove the death penalty option from his trial. This is because Kohberger has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and executing him could be considered a form of “cruel and unusual punishment” as stated in the Eighth Amendment, which forbids such treatment.

His defense contends that Kohbereger exhibits inflexible thought patterns, persistently focuses on certain subjects, handles information in fragments rather than as a whole, finds it challenging to anticipate future events, and shows minimal self-awareness regarding his actions and feelings.

Mr. Kohberger’s Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevents him from behaving in a way society deems typical, which raises significant concerns that he might face execution due to his disability instead of his actions.

At first, Judge Kohberger’s plea was entered as not guilty for the murder charges of the first degree, since he chose to stay silent during his arraignment in May 2023. Despite the scheduled start of his trial on October 2, 2023, Kohberger decided to relinquish his right to a swift trial in August 2023.

The trial for him, initially planned in Ada County, approximately 300 miles away from Latah County where the crimes occurred, is scheduled to commence on August 11, 2025.

Previously, Judge John Judge from Latah County decided to approve the change-of-venue request submitted by Kohberger’s legal team in September 2024, citing potential bias or prejudice that could arise if the trial took place within Latah County itself.

In the upcoming trial, Judge Steven Hippler of Ada County declined the defense’s motion to exclude crucial DNA findings, along with mobile phone and email data, security camera footage, past shopping history from Amazon, and DNA proof.

The trial for Kohberger’s murder case was unexpectedly halted on June 30, 2025, as he opted for a plea bargain offered by the prosecutors. By accepting this deal, Kohberger consented to admit guilt for four charges of murder and one charge of burglary, relinquish his right to appeal, and request a less severe prison term.

On the fateful day of July 2, 2025, I stepped into the courtroom, heart pounding, as I prepared to face the music for my heinous crimes. The judge’s stern gaze met mine, and I could feel the weight of my actions pressing down on me. He posed the question that hung heavy in the air: “Did you take the lives of all four victims willingly, unlawfully, deliberately, and with premeditation and malice, forethought?” With a heavy heart and a sense of finality, I could only nod, whispering “yes” to seal my fate.

A selfie that Kohberger took the day following the murders was presented in March 2025. This image showed him standing near a shower with a thumbs up gesture, which matches the physical description provided by a witness known as “D.M.” in court filings, who noted that the suspect had “thick eyebrows.

Steve Gonclaves, Kaylee’s father, subsequently commented on the picture, referring to it as a “trophy,” during his interview with Fox and Friends.

Gonclaves stated, “I’m aware of the sequence of events. He had arrived back at the crime scene, and it was then that he understood no one had dialed 911 for help.

In his words, “That’s a small memento for him, serving as a reminder, ‘I managed to escape unnoticed.’

2025 Dateline documentary on the murders featured an ex-classmate of Kohberger’s who shared a strange message she got from him following their encounter at a party.

Holly clarified that she felt slightly compelled to talk with him, as he appeared somewhat uncomfortable. This situation seemed fitting for a PhD student who was unfamiliar with others at the gathering, perhaps making an effort to socialize and establish friendships.

The following day, Holly said she received a text from him, which she described as overly formal. 

Hey there! It seems like we discussed hiking trips yesterday. I love going on those, so do let me know if we’re still planning it. Thanks!

In another part of the Dateline documentary, it was discovered that Kohberger’s web browsing had contained inquiries about Ted Bundy, Britney Spears’ song “Criminal,” and the phrase “Idaho University Murders.

In a court hearing on July 2, 2025, Kohberger admitted guilt for the murders of Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle, Chapin, and one count of burglary, after agreeing to a plea bargain that would prevent him from receiving the death penalty.

Yes” for every query.

According to Hippler’s report, by accepting the plea deal, Kohberger relinquished his ability to challenge the verdict in an appeal or request a less severe prison term.

Despite both the Goncalves and Kernodle families objecting to the plea bargain that removed the death penalty option, Thomas Kohberger was legally sentenced to spend his life in prison on July 23, 2025.

The judge, Judge Hippler, handed down a sentence for Kohberger that requires him to serve four life sentences in a row, with no chance of parole for each murder charge he was found guilty of. Each first-degree murder conviction also carries a $50,000 fine and a $5,000 civil penalty to be paid to the families of the victims. Additionally, Kohberger received an additional 10 years and a $50,000 fine for the burglary charge.

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2025-07-28 18:48