The father of one of Bryan Kohberger’s victims is fighting to protect his child’s memory.
Steve Goncalves, whose daughter Kaylee Goncalves was tragically one of four victims killed by a 30-year-old in November 2022 (alongside Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin), firmly urges against the dissemination of sensitive information regarding this case, specifically photos from the crime scene.
During his interview on Banfield, he expressed that those children aren’t just ours, and we deserve better than what’s currently happening. He hopes for a situation where they can maintain their dignity without having to face such circumstances.
Goncalves clarified that although the public has a claim to information regarding the case, he, his family, and the families of the other victims are concerned about potential dissemination of images depicting their children’s last moments.
“We’re afraid that we’d wake up one morning,” he went on, “and that might be on TV.”
Despite Goncalves’ firm stance against disclosing crime scene photos, he didn’t object to the release of other details related to the case by the authorities.
He went on to say, “Once we received the toxicology report, they inquired about it. We responded that it wasn’t a concern for us at this point. I believe we won’t hesitate to share information like that in the future.
In July’s sentencing hearing for Kohberger, Steve delivered an emotional and intense statement about the loss of his daughter, as he continued to grapple with her passing. There, Kohberger received four consecutive life sentences, one for each victim.
At the sentencing hearing in July, Steve poured his grief over his deceased daughter into a heartfelt and intense statement. It was there that Kohberger was handed four life sentences in succession-one for every victim he harmed.
He said to Kohberger, ‘You’re not significant enough to warrant being remembered. In the future, you’ll be merely two letters, swept away by time. You won’t have any visitors, just initials on a grave with no inscription. Effectively, from now on, we’ll consider you erased.’
Later on, Goncalves (who is Alivea Goncalves’ father and had a chance to speak in court as well) mentioned that it was a powerful experience for him to be able to voice his emotions towards the individual accused of killing his daughter.
He expressed, a few days following the sentencing, on the program “Banfield”, that our goal was to exert some influence in that courtroom and make certain suggestions to him. However, he was merely listening to criticism, so to speak. In simpler terms, that was the most we could manage, and I’m grateful for the court’s cooperation in this matter. It proved quite beneficial for us.
For more details on the tragic murders, keep reading.
The individuals in question – Kaylee Goncalves (age 21), Madison Mogen (also 21), Xana Kernodle (age 20), and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin (also 20) – were all students at the University of Idaho. They resided together off-campus in an apartment.
On November 12, 2022, the very night that would mark their last moments alive, Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle, and I (as an ardent fan) were in different places: Goncalves and Mogen at a cozy sports bar nearby, while Kernodle and Chapin were immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of Chapin’s fraternity party. By 2 a.m. on November 13, my beloved roommates Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin found themselves back at our shared three-story rental house.
Goncalves, who specialized in general studies, was near the end of her academic journey at the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. She was anticipated to receive her degree in December, following which she planned to move to Austin, Texas for a marketing job, as shared by her friend Jordyn Quesnell with The New York Times.
As a marketing whiz and an unwavering devotee, I – Mogen – have shared a cherished friendship with Goncalves since our sixth-grade days. With graduation on the horizon, my dreams of venturing to Boise were subtly revealed by none other than our dear family friend, Jessie Frost, to the esteemed Idaho Statesman.
At that point, Kernodle was a junior studying marketing, as reported. She and Chapin, who specialized in recreation, sports, and tourism management, had been together since the spring, according to their neighbor Ellie McKnight (as shared with NBC News).
Two individuals living together, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, were at home during the reported murders. Text messages made public on March 6, 2025, indicate that Mortensen and Funke attempted to reach out to their roommates on November 13, after Mortensen claimed he saw a masked person wandering around their house, as per documents obtained by TopMob News.
“No one is answering,” Mortensen texted Funke at 4:22 a.m. “I’m rlly confused rn.”
She persistently contacted her roommates, encouraging them to get back to her. At 4:32 a.m. and later at 10:23 a.m., she messaged Goncalves asking, “Can you reply?” and then followed up with, “Are you awake?
Around 11:58 a.m., a 911 call was made following the discovery of Kernodle being unresponsive, as reported by additional documents acquired by TopMob News. In the call transcript, a woman identified as A1 detailed the current state of affairs to the operator.
She mentioned that one of the roommates is still asleep, apparently due to excessive drinking last night, and they haven’t been able to wake her up yet,” she explained over the phone. “Last night, they noticed an unknown man in their home.
As an absolutely devoted fanatic, I can’t help but share my thoughts on the captivating case of Bryan Kohberger, who found himself charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. This brilliant mind was pursuing a doctoral degree at Washington State University, and it all took an unexpected turn when the bodies of Gonclaves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin were tragically discovered over a month ago.
Fast forward to December 30th, in Monroe County, Pennsyvania, Bryan was apprehended! The news sent shockwaves through the community. He was then transported to Idaho on January 4th, 2023. The twists and turns of this case have left me absolutely spellbound, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds in the coming days.
It’s been reported by NBC News that in June 2023 court documents, prosecutors stated that DNA evidence found on a knife sheath left at the crime scene linked him to the killings.
When the DNA didn’t find a match in the FBI database, authorities decided to search for potential suspects by running the DNA through public ancestry websites. According to the filings, once it was discovered that Kohberger had visited his parents’ home in Monroe County, local officials searched through their trash and found DNA linking him to the DNA found on the sheath.
As an ardent admirer diving deep into this intriguing case, I can’t help but share my findings so far. Regrettably, the specific reasons behind the attack remain elusive, as no explicit details have been disclosed yet. Moreover, a strict confidentiality order has been imposed, preventing key figures from discussing the matter publicly in the media. However, some enlightening insights have emerged from the recently unsealed documents, offering a peek into their initial arguments.
Lawyers for Kohberger requested in a court filing obtained by TopMob News to dismiss the death penalty, stating that Kohberger has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They argued that imposing capital punishment on someone with ASD would be a breach of the Eighth Amendment’s ban on “cruel and unusual punishment.
In simpler terms, the defense claimed that Kohbereger tends to think in a very fixed manner, often gets stuck on certain subjects, approaches information bit by bit rather than as a whole, has difficulty planning for the future, and shows limited understanding of his own actions and feelings.
Because of Mr. Kohberger’s Autism Spectrum Disorder, he struggles to conform to society’s usual standards of behavior. This presents a grave concern that he could be punished unfairly due to his disability instead of his actions.
Initially, the judge entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of Kohberger at his May 2023 arraignment as he remained silent. His trial was originally scheduled for October 2, 2023, but Kohberger chose to relinquish his right to a swift trial in August 2023.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the news about my beloved subject’s trial date since the tragic events unfolded in Latah County back in… well, it feels like forever! But finally, I can barely contain my excitement because his long-awaited trial is set to start on August 11, 2025-quite a journey from the crime scene all the way up in Ada County, over 300 miles away. It’s going to be a thrilling ride!
Previously, Judge John Judge from Latah County decided to grant the transfer request submitted by Kohberger’s legal team in September 2024, due to concerns about potential bias or prejudice if the trial were to take place in Latah County itself.
In the upcoming trial, Judge Steven Hippler of Ada County refused the defense’s plea to exclude crucial DNA findings, as well as mobile phone and email data, security camera footage, previous Amazon transactions, and DNA proof from being presented as evidence.
The trial for Kohberger’s murder case was unexpectedly halted on June 30, 2025, as he chose to accept a plea agreement offered by prosecutors. In doing so, Kohberger consented to admit guilt for four counts of murder and one count of burglary, relinquishing his right to appeal and requesting a less severe prison term.
On July 2, 2025, he admitted his guilt in court, answering affirmatively when asked if he intentionally, illegally, purposefully, and with prior planning caused the deaths of all four victims.
On March 2025, a selfie of Kohberger taken the day after the murders was presented. In this picture, he stands before a shower with a thumbs up, and his bushy eyebrows match the description given by a witness named “D.M.” in court documents as a characteristic of the suspect.
In response to the image, Steve Gonclaves, who is Kaylee’s father, referred to it as a “trophy” during an interview on Fox and Friends.
Goncalves stated that he was aware of the sequence of events. It seemed that the person in question had recently revisited the crime scene, and upon his return, he discovered something startling – no one had dialed emergency services.
In simpler terms, what he meant was, “That’s his small token of triumph, a way for him to acknowledge, ‘I managed to slip through the cracks, no one’s catching up to me.’
2025 Dateline documentary on the murders featured a former classmate of Kohberger’s who shared an “unusual” message she received from him following their encounter at a party.
As a lifestyle expert, I can empathize with Holly’s situation. In her own words, “I couldn’t help but feel a sense of obligation to engage with him, for he appeared somewhat uncomfortable.” It seemed as though this PhD student was the sole newcomer at the party, perhaps making an effort to break out of his shell and connect with others, much like someone might attempt to network at a professional event.
The following day, Holly said she received a text from him, which she described as overly formal.
Hey there! It seems we discussed hiking trips yesterday. I’d love to join if you’re planning any. Let me know and thanks!”
This version maintains the original message’s intent while making it more conversational and easy to read.
In the same Dateline documentary, it was discovered that Kohberger’s online activities encompassed inquiries about Ted Bundy, the song “Criminal” by Britney Spears, and the phrase “Murders at University of Idaho.
In a courtroom setting on July 2, 2025, I found myself standing before the judge, making a significant decision that would alter the course of my life. Having carefully considered the circumstances, I chose to accept a plea deal that would bypass the death penalty and instead, plead guilty to the heartbreaking murders of Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin. Additionally, I admitted to one count of burglary in Idaho, acknowledging my involvement in those tragic events.
In response to Judge Hippler’s inquiry as to whether or not Kohberger had intentionally, illegally, deliberately, and with premeditation and malice, he deliberately planned his actions, he responded affirmatively to every query.
By accepting the plea deal, Kohberger relinquished his ability to challenge the verdict or request a less severe prison term, as stated by Hippler.
Despite both the Goncalves and Kernodle families objecting to the plea deal that eliminated the possibility of capital punishment, Thomas Kohberger was formally sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison on July 23, 2025.
Judge Hippler handed down a sentence of four life imprisonments for Brian Kohberger, served one after another, without the chance of parole for each first-degree murder charge. Additionally, he was fined $50,000 for each murder conviction and ordered to pay a $5,000 civil penalty to each victim’s family. On the burglary count, Kohberger received a 10-year sentence and a $50,000 fine.
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2025-08-07 22:47