The father of one of the victims of the 2022 University of Idaho quadruple murders, Steve Goncalves, has spoken out about his decision to refund more than $85,000 in GoFundMe donations that were intended to support his family during the trial of Bryan Kohberger.
Kohberger, who had been facing a trial for the deaths of his daughter Kaylee Goncalves, along with Xana Kernodle, Maddie Mogen, and Ethan Chapin, recently pleaded guilty to all four counts of first-degree murder, avoiding a trial and the possibility of the death penalty.
This has left the Goncalves family heartbroken and conflicted about the funds raised for the trial.
The Plea Deal and Family’s Reaction
Bryan Kohberger, a former PhD student at Washington State University, was expected to stand trial for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students on November 13, 2022.
However, in a deal with Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson, Kohberger pleaded guilty to all charges on July 3, 2023, sparing him a trial and the potential death penalty.
The plea deal came as a shock to the victims’ families, especially Kaylee Goncalves’ parents, who expressed their anger and disappointment. Steve Goncalves publicly stated that he could not accept the deal and criticized the prosecutor’s office for showing Kohberger mercy.
The Goncalves family posted a statement on Facebook following the deal, emphasizing their belief that Kohberger deserved the death penalty, not a plea deal that would spare him from facing execution.
They also expressed frustration over the mercy shown to Kohberger, as they feel he showed no mercy to their daughter or the other victims.
The family made it clear that they were struggling to process the outcome. They also mentioned that they were trying to figure out how to refund the substantial GoFundMe donations they had received to support their family during the trial, stating that they needed time to process everything before taking any further steps.
GoFundMe Refunds and Family’s Struggle
As part of the emotional aftermath of the plea deal, the Goncalves family is now dealing with the issue of the more than $85,000 raised on GoFundMe. The donations were intended to help the family cover expenses during Kohberger’s trial.
However, now that the trial will no longer occur, Steve Goncalves explained that they are working on finding the best way to refund the money.
Steve said he could not simply ask GoFundMe to refund the donors, as the money had already been deposited into the family’s account. This process has added another layer of complexity and emotional strain for the family as they navigate their grief and frustration over the plea deal.
They have asked for time to figure out the logistics of the refunds while they take a moment to process the situation.
Steve and his wife have expressed how exhausting and emotionally draining this ordeal has been, stating that their physical and mental exhaustion is overwhelming. In the Facebook post, they also emphasized their need for privacy and understanding, requesting “grace” from the public as they try to figure out their next steps.
The Details of the Murders and Kohberger’s Arrest
The details surrounding the murders remain chilling. On November 13, 2022, Kohberger broke into an off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho, where the four victims were living. He entered through a sliding glass door and went upstairs, where he murdered Kaylee Goncalves and Maddie Mogen in their bedroom.
On his way downstairs, he encountered Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin. He fatally stabbed both of them before fleeing the scene.
The investigation quickly pointed to Kohberger, with key evidence including a knife sheath left at the scene that contained DNA traces matching Kohberger’s. This led to his arrest and eventual guilty plea.
The plea deal spared Kohberger a public trial and the possibility of facing the death penalty, which has caused significant emotional distress for the victims’ families.
The decision for Bryan Kohberger to plead guilty to the four murders of University of Idaho students has been a devastating blow to the victims’ families, particularly Kaylee Goncalves’ parents, who had hoped for a public trial and justice through the death penalty.
The complexity of this situation is compounded by the funds raised through GoFundMe to support the family during the trial. As they work through their grief, the Goncalves family is also facing the logistical and emotional challenges of managing those donations.
This tragic case continues to impact those involved, and the family’s journey through this difficult time is far from over.
