Victim’s Sister Delivers Scathing Statement at Kohberger Sentencing

The sister of a victim in the brutal murder case involving Bryan Kohberger delivered a powerful statement during his sentencing on July 23, 2025. Kohberger, who was convicted of killing four University of Idaho students, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Alivea Goncalves, sister of victim Kaylee Goncalves, expressed her anger and disappointment towards Kohberger in an emotional address that captivated the courtroom.

On November 13, 2022, Kohberger, a former graduate student at Washington State University, stabbed to death Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Ethan Chapin while they slept in an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. The case gained national attention, culminating in Kohberger’s arrest in December 2022 at his family home in Pennsylvania.

A white Hyundai Elantra, matching the car Kohberger drove, had been seen near the victims’ residence. However, it was DNA evidence that ultimately linked him to the crime scene. Police found a knife sheath at the location, which contained DNA that matched Kohberger’s profile. Investigators used genealogy databases and public records to trace the DNA back to Kohberger, leading to his apprehension.

At the sentencing hearing, Kohberger opted not to make a statement when given the opportunity by the judge. Instead, family members of the victims confronted him directly, with Alivea Goncalves’s remarks standing out for their intensity and clarity. She addressed Kohberger, stating, “You didn’t win. You just exposed yourself as the coward you are.”

Goncalves painted a vivid picture of her sister and her friends, describing them as “loved, accepted, vibrant, accomplished, brave, and powerful.” She emphasized that Kaylee and Maddie would have shown kindness to Kohberger had he approached them in a different context.

The impact of the crimes has left the families of the victims grappling with profound loss. As Alivea Goncalves stated, “I’m angry. Every day I’m angry.” Her words resonated not only with those present in the courtroom but also with the wider public, who have followed the case closely.

In July 2025, Kohberger accepted a plea deal that spared him from the death penalty, a decision that disappointed many family members and garnered attention from notable figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump. In a post on his social media platform, Trump urged the judge to compel Kohberger to explain his motives for the killings, stating, “These were vicious murders, with so many questions left unanswered.”

During her address, Alivea Goncalves posed a series of pointed questions to Kohberger, questioning his actions and motives on the night of the murders. She expressed her frustration at the lack of accountability, stating, “You orchestrated this like you thought you were God. Now look at you, begging a courtroom for scraps.”

Goncalves’s statement highlighted the emotional toll the tragedy has taken on the families involved. She declared that she would not allow Kohberger the satisfaction of seeing her vulnerable, stating, “I won’t stand here and give you what you want. I won’t offer you tears. I won’t offer you trembling.”

The haunting nature of her words and the clarity with which she articulated her feelings served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing impact of violent crime on victims’ families. Kohberger’s actions have not only robbed four young individuals of their lives but have also left a lasting scar on their loved ones.

As the courtroom proceedings concluded, the impact of Alivea Goncalves’s address reverberated beyond the walls of the courtroom, encapsulating the anger, grief, and resilience of the victim’s families. The case continues to resonate with many, serving as a stark reminder of the profound consequences of violence.