Kaylee Goncalves’ grieving parents have shared painful memories of their daughter’s last moments and defended their desire for the harshest punishment after Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to killing four students at the University of Idaho.
Kohberger admitted to the murders of Kaylee, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen, which occurred in November 2022. He avoided the death penalty by accepting a plea deal, receiving life sentences without parole plus additional time for burglary.
On social media, Kaylee’s family expressed anger that Kohberger would not face execution. They pushed back against critics who say life in prison is enough, explaining how brutal Kaylee’s death was.
Their post said: “He doesn’t deserve life in prison. He deserved death row. If your daughter was stabbed multiple times and beaten while fighting for her life, what would you want? Justice? Vengeance? Maybe both.”
They also addressed the judgment they’ve received from others and the pain of losing Kaylee so violently.
The family added: “BK was scared to die but not to kill. He got a plea deal; Kaylee got none. The state showed BK mercy, but BK showed Kaylee none.”
Their message highlights the heartbreak and the difficult emotions families endure after such horrific crimes.
