Idaho Murder Victims' Parents Wrestle With Forgiveness as Killer Seeks to Withdraw Plea

The parents of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves are confronting the challenge of forgiving Bryan Kohberger, the man convicted of murdering their daughter and three other students, as Kohberger seeks to withdraw his guilty plea.

Kohberger pleaded guilty in 2025 to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. This plea agreement spared him the death penalty, and he was subsequently sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without parole, plus a 10-year sentence for burglary. He is now asking a judge to reverse this outcome.

"According to the Bible, we need to forgive him," Kaylee Goncalves' mother, Kristi Goncalves, stated in an interview. "But Steve said he’s never asked for forgiveness. He’s never showed an ounce of remorse. He’s claiming that he didn’t do this. So, what, do we forgive him?"

Kristi Goncalves expressed difficulty in forgiving Kohberger, whom she described as a "demon" and "the devil himself." She recounted that her daughter suffered severe facial injuries, and her husband, Steve Goncalves, characterized the killings as the fulfillment of Kohberger's "sick fantasy."

"There is something very non-human about him," Kristi Goncalves said of Kohberger. "And I know that from my impact statement, looking at him, the way he looked at me… I don’t know if he’s human at all."

Kristi Goncalves also shared her ongoing internal struggle, frequently discussing forgiveness with God. "I say, ‘God, I know I’m supposed to forgive him, but how? How do I forgive him? He did such horrible things,'" she said. "Am I supposed to forgive a demon? Am I supposed forgive the devil?"

Kohberger, 31, was convicted of fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in November 2022. He entered their Moscow, Idaho, residence through a sliding glass door. Evidence at the scene included a knife sheath containing Kohberger's DNA.

Kristi Goncalves told Fox News that she is particularly disturbed by Kohberger's attempt to withdraw his plea, which she feels has subjected the victims' families to further trauma. Steve Goncalves echoed these sentiments, stating, "If anybody wants to entertain this appeal… I will blast this case through the roof."