Idaho Murders: Why Xana Kernodle’s Mom Doesn’t “Hate” Bryan Kohberger

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Xana Kernodle’s mom isn’t holding on to her anger. 

Approximately three years since the gruesome murder of Cara Northington’s daughter, her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, and roommates Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at their University of Idaho dormitory in 2022 by Bryan Kohberger, she expressed her emotions toward the convicted perpetrator.

During a Bible study at Altar Church on September 6th, as reported by The Spokesman-Review, she expressed, “I do not harbor hatred towards Bryan Kohberger.

The evening at Altar Church centered around victims of violent crimes forgiving their offenders. Northington acknowledged that, while she had pardoned the 30-year-old (who admitted guilt for four murders and one burglary before the trial began), she was mentally detaching him from her thoughts by releasing him from mental occupation.

Northington’s journey towards forgiveness wasn’t straightforward either. During the same period, Kernodle’s mother was battling a prolonged 30-year battle with drug addiction, which culminated in her incarceration a year after the murders.

Northington stated that he was asked to give up everything completely by a higher power, which he did, and since then, he hasn’t looked back.

Two months ago, Northington made her admission, having previously spoken at Kohberger’s sentencing where she expressed that her faith helped her cope with the grief of losing her 20-year-old.

She stated during your July 23 sentencing that it’s through Christ living within her that she found the strength to forgive you. This wasn’t a result of her own power but rather, the Lord filling her with an incomprehensible level of joy, hope, and peace.

Regardless of Northington’s ability to endure her own suffering, she made it clear to Kohberger (the individual who allegedly stabbed her daughter more than 50 times according to an autopsy) that he would still face legal repercussions, even though his plea deal prevented the imposition of the death penalty.

She remarked that no human punishment could rival the anger of God. Eventually, you’ll face judgment from our higher power, accountable for the wrongs you’ve done.

For more on Kohberger’s case, keep reading… 

Five young individuals residing in an off-campus apartment were from the University of Idaho: Kaylee Goncalves (aged 21), Madison Mogen (also 21), Xana Kernodle (just 20 years old), and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, who was likewise 20 years old.

On November 12, 2022 (the night before their discovery), Goncalves and Mogen spent time at a sports bar nearby, while Kernodle and Chapin attended a fraternity party. By 2 a.m. on November 13, the four roommates along with Chapin returned to their shared three-story rental house.

Goncalves was a senior with a focus on general studies at the College of Arts and Humanities. It was anticipated that she would graduate in December, after which she planned to move to Austin, Texas for a marketing job. This information was shared by her friend, Jordyn Quesnell, as reported by The New York Times.

Originally studying marketing, Mogen has been inseparable from Goncalves since elementary school. Following her graduation, it was reported by family friend Jessie Frost to The Idaho Statesman that she intended to relocate to Boise.

Back then, Kernodle was a junior studying marketing, as reported. Kernodle and Chapin, who studied recreation, sport, and tourism management, had been together since the spring. This was shared by their neighbor, Ellie McKnight, to NBC News.

Two individuals, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, were at home during the reported murders. Text messages, released on March 6, 2025, indicated that Mortensen and Funke attempted to reach their other roommates on November 13, following an incident where Mortensen claimed to have seen a masked individual wandering around their house, as detailed in documents acquired 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 reply. At 4:32 a.m., she messaged Goncalves, saying, “Pls respond,” and later sent another message at 10:23 a.m., asking, “Are you awake??

11:58 a.m.: A 911 call was made following the discovery of Kernodle being unresponsive, as confirmed by a new motion acquired 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, apparently intoxicated from the previous night, is still unconscious and unresponsive,” she explained over the phone. “Apparently, they found an unknown man in their residence last night.

Bryan Kohberger, who is now facing charges for four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, was pursuing a doctoral degree at Washington State University. Approximately a month after the bodies of Gonclaves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin were found, Kohberger was apprehended on December 30 in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. On January 4, 2023, he was transferred to Idaho for further proceedings.

It’s through DNA evidence found on a discarded knife sheath at the crime scene that authorities linked him to the murders, as detailed in court papers presented in June 2023 by prosecutors, according to NBC News.

When the DNA didn’t correspond with anyone in the FBI database, authorities decided to search public ancestry websites to compile a list of possible suspects (as stated in the filings). After discovering that Kohberger had visited his parents’ home in Monroe County, local investigators subsequently examined their trash and found DNA links between him and the DNA on the sheath.

Currently, the specific reason behind the attack remains undisclosed due to a restraining order that restricts those connected to the case from making public statements. Nevertheless, certain insights about their initial defenses have been revealed through unveiled court papers. [NBC News reported this.]

In a motion acquired by TopMob News, Kohberger’s legal team requested to dismiss the death penalty due to his diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They argued that if found guilty on all charges, executing him would conflict with the Eighth Amendment, which forbids “inhumane and uncommon punishment.

His defense contends that Kohbereger shows exceptionally inflexible thought patterns, fixates extensively on certain subjects, approaches information in fragmented pieces, finds it hard to anticipate future events, and exhibits minimal understanding of his own actions and feelings.

The statement points out that due to Asperger’s Syndrome, Mr. Kohberger may not be able to behave in a way society considers typical. This could potentially lead to an unfair outcome where he might face the death penalty due to his disability instead of his actions.

Initially, a judge entered a plea of not guilty on Kohberger’s behalf as he remained silent during his May 2023 arraignment for first-degree murder charges. His trial was scheduled to start on Oct. 2, 2023, but Kohberger chose to relinquish his right to a speedy trial in August 2023.

The start of his trial, initially planned for Ada County, over 300 miles away from Latah County where the murders occurred, is scheduled for August 11, 2025.

Previously, Judge John Judge of Latah County decided to grant the transfer request submitted by Kohberger’s legal team in September 2024 due to concerns about potential bias if the trial were to take place within Latah County.

In my professional perspective, as a lifestyle advisor, I recently found myself reviewing an intriguing legal case where Judge Steven Hippler of Ada County made a decisive ruling. He refused to grant the defense’s plea for withholding vital pieces of evidence that could significantly influence the trial’s outcome. These crucial bits of information encompass DNA findings, cell phone and email records, footage from surveillance cameras, past purchases on Amazon, and more. It’s essential to remember that every bit of evidence can contribute to a clearer understanding of a situation, hence ensuring a fair trial for all parties involved.

The trial for Kohberger’s murder case was unexpectedly halted on June 30, 2025, when he decided to accept a plea deal from the prosecutors. By agreeing to this deal, Kohberger consented to admit his guilt for four counts of murder and one count of burglary. Moreover, he relinquished his right to appeal and requested a less severe prison term.

On July 2, 2025, he admitted his guilt in court when asked by the judge whether he had intentionally, illegally, deliberately, and with premeditated malice caused the death of all four victims.

On March 2025, a selfie of Kohberger was presented, taken the day following the murders. In this image, he stands before a shower with a thumbs-up gesture, which seems to align with the description provided by witness D.M., who noted in court documents that the suspect had “thick eyebrows.

Steve Goncalves, the father of the victim Kaylee, later commented on the image, referring to it as a “trophy,” during an interview with Fox and Friends.

According to Gonclaves, he’s aware of the sequence of events. Specifically, he knows that the individual in question had recently revisited the crime scene and then returned. Upon his return, it occurred to him that no one had dialed 911 for emergency assistance.

He explained it as, “For him, it serves as a small token, signifying ‘I managed to escape unnoticed.’

In a 2025 Dateline documentary regarding the murders, a past colleague of Kohberger’s shared an account of an “odd” message she got from him following their encounter at a party.

Holly expressed that she felt somewhat compelled to talk to him since he appeared to be a bit uncomfortable, much like a PhD student who was unfamiliar with the party guests and was making an effort to socialize and meet new people.

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

Bryan’s message on July 10, 2022, at 1:19 p.m., as reported by Dateline, went like this: “Hey, I believe we discussed hiking trips yesterday. I’m really into it, so if we’re planning one, do let me know! Thanks!

In the aforementioned “Dateline” documentary, it was discovered that Kohberger’s online activities encompassed searches about Ted Bundy, Britney Spears’ song titled “Criminal,” and the phrase “Idaho University Murders.

Following a plea agreement that would instead sentence him for life rather than execution, Brian Kohberger confessed to his guilt in the murders of Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin, as well as one count of burglary, at a court hearing on July 2, 2025, in Idaho.

As an ardent admirer of the dramatic unfolding, when Judge Hippler inquired whether I, the suspect, had intentionally, illegally, purposefully, and premeditatedly taken the lives of each victim with malice aforethought, I unwaveringly confirmed with a resounding “Yes” for every single one.

By accepting the plea bargain, Kohberger has given up the opportunity to challenge the verdict or request a less strict prison term, as stated by Hippler.

Although both the Goncalves and Kernodle families strongly objected to the arrangement that led to a plea deal, effectively removing the possibility of the death penalty, on July 23, 2025, Kohberger was officially sentenced to life imprisonment.

As a devoted follower reporting, Judge Hippler handed down a verdict that mandates Brian Kohberger to serve four life sentences in succession, with no chance for parole on each first-degree murder charge. Each conviction also carries a $50,000 fine. Additionally, he is required to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 to every family of the victims as a result of his actions. For the burglary count, Kohberger was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined another $50,000.

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2025-09-09 17:47