‘He enjoys it’: Here’s how Kaylee Goncalves’ sister plans to address Bryan Kohberger in court

Confessed Idaho 4 murderer Brian Kohberger‘s sentencing is July 23 in Boise, Idaho. In advance of the hearing, one of Kohberger’s victims, Kaylee Goncalves‘ sister, Alivea Goncalves, sat down with NewsNation’s Brian Entin on his podcast, Brian Entin Investigates.

In their conversation, Alivea revealed how she plans to address the court in her victim impact statement. She also gave her view on Kohberger’s mental state and his parents. On July 2, 2025, after a nearly three-year legal process, Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of murder and one count of burglary for killing Kaylee, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022.

“I refuse to get up there and further revictimize myself.”

In her interview shared on July 21, Alivea said, “I refuse to get up there and further revictimize myself over and over and over for a defendant who does not give a damn. No amount of tears, no amount of, you know, tearjerkers, heart, nothing is ever going to make him feel anything. At best, and at worst, he enjoys it,” she said.

Alivea went on to add, “He hasn’t really shown any even small sign of emotion,” referring to Kohberger, “None. So I don’t think he’s capable of empathy, of compassion. I don’t think he’s capable of love.”

The Goncalves have expressed their dismay over the plea deal Idaho prosecutors offered Kohberger. The agreement removed the death penalty in exchange for four consecutive life sentences.

Kaylee’s father, Steve Goncalves, has been particularly outspoken, and according to Steve’s daughter, Alivea, he, too, will make a statement in court along with Kaylee’s mom and her brother.

“I’m a mother. I have a son.”

In her Entin conversation, Alivea also spoke of Kohberger’s parents, who were present in court at his plea deal hearing, but reportedly will not be at his sentencing.

Alivea said of Kohberger’s mother and father, “I’m a mother. I have a son. You think to yourself — and obviously, I don’t want to be in their shoes. I do want to, you know, extend empathy — I don’t know what that looks like. I hope that, of course, I never do, but you know, my son comes home in the car that they’re looking for, and he’s aggressively cleaning his car in the garage at odd hours of night,” she said, suggesting Kohberger’s parents may have known something, as many suspect.

“I might feel a certain way,” Alivea added of Kohberger’s parents, “and then as more facts come out, I think that you can continue to love someone, but know that you don’t support or condone their behavior or actions.” She concluded, “I understand it was their right to be there,” referring to the plea deal hearing.

Kohberger’s sentencing hearing

Bryan Kohberger’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 23, 2025, at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, before Judge Steven Hippler.

During the hearing, members of the victims’ families, who have largely expressed mixed reactions to the plea deal, are expected to provide impact statements. Notably, victim Ethan Chapin’s parents voiced relief at avoiding a drawn-out case. As mentioned, the Goncalves family has been critical of the plea deal outcome.

Prosecutors will remain silent until after the sentencing, per their agreement out of deference to the victims’ families. Kohberger himself may choose to speak. His earlier confession lacked any motive explanation.

The hearing will be livestreamed via the official YouTube channel of the Idaho Fourth District Court, beginning early local time. Last-minute updates suggest coverage will start around 8:45 a.m. MST with local Idaho news outlets providing full broadcast coverage.