Kaylee Goncalves’ family ‘furious’ as justice unexpectedly denied in the 11th hour

In a shocking turn just weeks before trial, Bryan Kohberger—the former Washington State University criminology grad student accused of brutally murdering four University of Idaho students—has accepted a plea deal.

In exchange for pleading guilty, Kohberger will receive four consecutive life sentences plus additional time for burglary, effectively avoiding the death penalty.

Goncalves family reaction: ‘beyond furious’

The family of one victim, Kaylee Goncalves, described their response in stark terms. In a Facebook post, they declared: “We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us. Please give us some time. This was very unexpected.”

Kaylee’s father, Steve Goncalves, went further, expressing his dismay on national television by calling the plea deal an example of “adult child care”—a stark condemnation of prison conditions and those under state supervision.

Kaylee’s youngest sister, 18-year-old Aubrie Goncalves, delivered a stirring declaration of systemic failure. She voiced: “The system has failed these four innocent victims and their families… The introduction of this plea deal, just weeks before the scheduled trial, is both shocking and cruel.”

She went on to lament that Kohberger “will still get to speak, form relationships, and engage with the world… meanwhile, our loved ones have been silenced forever.”

The family also emphasized that they had balked at the idea of any plea offer from the beginning. In a heated statement, they wrote: “We met with prosecution AGAIN today to reiterate our views on pushing for the death penalty. Unfortunately, all of our efforts did not matter. We DID OUR BEST! We fought harder than anyone could EVER imagine.”

Other victims’ families weigh in

Meanwhile, another victim, Xana Kernodle’s family, including her aunt Kim, also voiced disappointment. According to E! News, they “did not want the state to offer a plea deal,” which they saw as sparing Kohberger rather than honoring their loved one.

While other families have remained largely guarded due to a gag order, the collective tone has been one of anguish, a bitter sense of “betrayal” by the justice system for denying them full legal closure.

What the plea deal entails

Under the agreement, Kohberger will plead guilty to four counts of first‑degree murder and one count of felony burglary. As part of the deal, he’ll receive four consecutive life sentences and up to 10 additional years for burglary. Importantly, he is also expected to waive his right to appeal.

According to prosecutors, this avoids decades of emotional strain on families that would follow protracted trials and appeals.

Why the families are enraged

Although the agreement guarantees a life sentence, victims’ families feel robbed of a bigger opportunity. The Goncalves family, particularly, feared that a trial would expose motives, ensure transparency, spotlight Kohberger’s behavior, and potentially lead to the death penalty. Being sidelined in the process, with little time to prepare emotionally or logistically, seems to them, unjust.

Aubrie, Kaylee’s sister, emphasized: “Had this proposal come a year and a half ago… we could have had the time to prepare for it emotionally… But now, with mere weeks left, we are being asked to absorb and respond to life‑altering decisions with no room to breathe.”

What’s next for Kohberger?

If the plea is accepted, Kohberger will formally enter his guilty plea in court on July 2. Once the plea is approved, the state will proceed directly to sentencing later in July. He will spend the rest of his life behind bars, without the possibility of parole or appeal. Should a judge reject the plea, his legal team will likely push for a full jury trial, presumably in Boise this August.