The parents of murdered University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves stated this week that they “couldn’t take [their] eyes off” suspect Bryan Kohberger when they saw him in court.
In an exclusive interview with NewsNation’s Ashley Banfield on Thursday night, Steve Goncalves explained, “I was just too overwhelmed by the fact that I was in a courtroom hearing a case that involved…people that I cared about and loved.”
“I just glanced at him…
His wife, Kristi Goncalves, remarked, “I couldn’t take my eyes off of him, he was so captivating.”
Kristi explained that she “expected to feel…only this immense amount of hatred” and that she is still “a little bit in shock.”
Kohberger, 28, is accused of murdering Kaylee, 21, her closest friend Madison Mogen, 21, their housemate Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kernodle’s boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, on November 13 at their off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho.
After a seven-week manhunt, Kohberger, a PhD student in criminology at Washington State University in neighboring Pullman, was captured at his parents’ Pennsylvania home on December 30.
The arrest document that was released this week upon his extradition to Idaho indicated that Kohberger may have scouted the students’ residence at 1122 King Road at least 12 times in the months preceding the horrible attack.
“I simply could not believe it…
“He did what he did,” Kristi said of the suspected murderer.
Steve was likewise astonished to discover that Kohberger was “someone who appears to be an ordinary…child.”
“There was nothing there that caught my attention,” he said.
Kohberger did not enter a plea during the court on Thursday. On January 12, he is scheduled for a status hearing.
The Goncalves stated that they hope the alleged murderer of their daughter would face the death penalty.
Steve assured Banfield that Kohberger’s family “will forgive” him if he pays with his life for his alleged offenses.
“For me, [justice] will resemble a conclusion,” repeated the distraught father.
»The parents of Kaylee Goncalves maintained a close eye on alleged Idaho murderer Bryan Kohberger«