No parole, no answers: Kohberger sentenced for University of Idaho killings
ByKIRO 7 News Staff
ByKIRO 7 News Staff
Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Wednesday for the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in a 2022 attack that shocked the rural town of Moscow and drew national attention.
At the sentencing hearing, families of the victims gave emotional statements but received no new answers about Kohberger’s motive. He declined to speak when given the chance.
Alivea Goncalves, sister of Kaylee Goncalves, addresses Bryan Kohberger
The four students were found stabbed to death in their off-campus rental home on Nov. 13, 2022.
The murders, committed while two other roommates were inside and spared, launched a wide-reaching investigation that ultimately led to Kohberger’s arrest six weeks later at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania.
Investigators used DNA from a knife sheath found at the scene and matched it to Kohberger using a discarded Q-tip from the family’s trash.
Authorities also tracked Kohberger’s cellphone movements and located a white sedan seen on surveillance video circling the King Road home the night of the killings.
At the time, Kohberger was a criminology graduate student at Washington State University in nearby Pullman.
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APTOPIX Four Killed University of Idaho Dylan Mortensen gets a hug after speaking at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Jeff Kernodle, father of victim Xana Kernodle speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Cara Northington, mother of victim Xana Kernodle speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
APTOPIX Four Killed University of Idaho Benjamin Mogen, father of Madison Mogen cries at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Dylan Mortensen speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Judge Steven Hippler speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Cara Northington, mother of victim Xana Kernodle wipes a tear at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
APTOPIX Four Killed University of Idaho Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Cara Northington, mother of victim Xana Kernodle wipes a tear at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Prosectutor Bill Thompson speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Kim Cheeley, grandmother of victim Madison Mogen speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Scott Laramie, stepfather of victim Madison Morgan speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Benjamin Mogen, father of Madison Mogen speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Kristi Goncalves, mother of victim Kaylee Goncalves speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Four Killed University of Idaho Judge Steven Hippler speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) (Kyle Green/AP)
Prosecutors say he used his knowledge of forensic science to try to cover his tracks, including cleaning his vehicle after the murders.
Police said he purchased a military-style knife and sheath on Amazon, but the knife itself was never recovered.
The case was moved from Latah County to Boise over concerns about finding an impartial jury in Moscow.
The trial was originally scheduled to begin next month, but Kohberger’s guilty plea ended the proceedings.
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said the plea agreement required Kohberger to admit guilt and waive his right to appeal in exchange for prosecutors not pursuing the death penalty. The agreement also spared the families from the trauma of a trial.
VIDEO: Prosecutor Bill Thompson addresses court prior to sentencing of Bryan Kohberger
Relatives of the victims expressed a range of emotions during the hearing. Some voiced anger or mocked Kohberger, while others offered forgiveness.
“You were that careless, that foolish, that stupid,” said Kaylee Goncalves’ father, Steve Goncalves. “Master’s degree? You’re a joke.”
VIDEO: Steve Goncalves, father of Kaylee Goncalves, addresses Bryan Kohberger
Kim Kernodle, Xana’s aunt, turned to Kohberger directly and said, “I have forgiven you… Any time you want to talk and tell me what happened, get my number.”
Scott Laramie, Madison Mogen’s stepfather, said the families were done giving Kohberger their attention. “Evil has many faces, and we now know this… We are done being victims.”
VIDEO: Scott Laramie, stepfather of Madison Mogen, addresses Bryan Kohberger
Law enforcement officials have said they still do not know the motive.
Investigators have not identified any link between Kohberger and the victims or the surviving roommates.
Idaho State Police Lt. Darren Gilbertson said after the sentencing, “We have never, to this day, found a single connection.”
In the weeks after the attack, the case attracted intense media interest.
A sweeping gag order was put in place, and many court records were sealed. Following Kohberger’s plea, news organizations including The Associated Press requested the gag order be lifted and documents be unsealed. Judge Stephen Hippler agreed but said the process would begin after sentencing and would take time.
Officials said the Moscow Police Department will soon launch a website to share investigative reports related to the case.
Friends and families have worked to honor the four students’ memories through foundations and scholarships.
