The family of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four University of Idaho students brutally murdered in November 2022, is expressing intense anger and heartbreak over a proposed plea deal that could spare accused killer Bryan Kohberger the death penalty. The shocking development comes just weeks before the highly anticipated trial was set to begin.
Kaylee Goncalves, 21, along with Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20, were found fatally stabbed in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho—a chilling case that sent shockwaves across the nation. Kohberger, a former criminology PhD student at Washington State University, was arrested in late December 2022 and later charged with four counts of murder.
Now, nearly two years later, the prosecution is reportedly offering Kohberger a plea deal: he would plead guilty to the murders in exchange for life in prison without the possibility of parole. In return, the state would drop the pursuit of the death penalty.
Family Blindsided by the Deal
According to statements shared with a national news outlet, the Goncalves family said they were not consulted about the agreement and only found out through a letter attached to an email. The letter, from Moscow Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson, indicated that Kohberger would likely spend the rest of his life behind bars and waive all rights to appeal.
“This is anything but justice,” said Kaylee’s father, Steve Goncalves, in an interview with NewsNation. “This isn’t the will of the victims. This is the opposite of what we wanted.” He added that the decision felt like it was made behind closed doors and without regard for the families most impacted.
Kaylee’s 18-year-old sister, Aubrie Goncalves, called the decision “shocking and cruel,” noting that the families deserved more time to consider such a major change in direction. “Had this proposal come a year and a half ago, the families could have had time to process, discuss, and potentially come to terms with the idea of a life sentence—however difficult that may be,” she said in a public statement.
The Goncalves family emphasized that they are not seeking vengeance, but they do believe the punishment should reflect the gravity of the crime. “Kohberger facing life in prison means he still gets to live, speak, form relationships, and engage with the world,” Aubrie wrote. “Our loved ones were silenced forever.”
A Divided Response from Victims’ Families
While the Goncalves family expressed outrage, other victims’ relatives appeared more accepting of the deal. The father of Madison Mogen told a local Idaho newspaper that he and his family are choosing peace over prolonged legal trauma. “We can actually put this behind us,” he said in an interview with CBS Mornings. “We get to think about the rest of our lives and figure out how to live without Maddie and the others.”
He added that a trial, followed by years of appeals, would only prolong the pain. “If Kohberger were sentenced to death, he wouldn’t have to think about what he did. With life in prison, he has to live with it every day.”
Despite the split in opinion, one common thread among the families is the sense of exhaustion from a legal process marked by repeated delays and court motions. From Kohberger’s refusal to enter a plea in his 2023 arraignment to the ongoing efforts to challenge forensic evidence, the case has moved forward at a painfully slow pace.
Legal Proceedings So Far
Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania on December 30, 2022, after a month-long investigation that centered on forensic and genetic genealogy evidence. DNA from a knife sheath found near one of the victims was matched to a sample taken from trash at the Kohberger family home.
Following his arrest, the legal process has included numerous challenges from the defense. These include motions to suppress DNA evidence, contest the validity of cell phone records, and question the scope of search warrants. At every stage, the victims’ families have waited patiently for justice to be served—only to now face what they view as an unsatisfying and unilateral decision.
A hearing on the plea deal is scheduled for Wednesday, and jury selection for the original trial was slated to begin August 4. Due to a wide-reaching gag order, the prosecutor’s office has declined to comment publicly, but in the letter to the Goncalves family, Thompson defended the deal as a “sincere attempt to seek justice.”
Fallout and Frustration
The Goncalves family has made it clear they feel betrayed by the state. In a post on social media, they wrote: “We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us.”
Steve Goncalves further stated that the decision appears to be more about avoiding the fallout of a high-profile trial than delivering justice. “There’s more than enough evidence,” he said. “This is about avoiding attention, preserving reputations, and sidestepping responsibility.”
In a final statement, the family urged the public to remember the victims—not just the legal outcome. “This isn’t about punishment alone,” said Steve. “It’s about honoring the lives that were stolen and making sure the man who took them never gets to live freely—even behind bars.”
