Bryan Kohberger was handed four consecutive life sentences for the 2022 killings of four University of Idaho students, and one victim’s parents have shared the unanswered detail that continues to trouble them.
Kohberger, 31, murdered Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin after entering their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, where they were sleeping on November 13, 2022.
The case later became the focus of a Netflix docu-series released in 2025, which centers on the victims’ loved ones and how they have tried to rebuild their lives in the wake of the tragedy.
Now, Goncalves’ parents have spoken about what they say remains most difficult to process: investigators have never established a clear motive, even years later.
In comments to the Daily Mail, her mother Kristi described how the lack of answers continues to weigh on her.
“Not having the motive is very hard. That is something that I still deal with daily.
“I am constantly thinking why? Why our kids? Why that house? When was it the beginning of the end for them – when did he hone in on them and say, this girl or this girl? I’m sure he knew their names, whether or not it was one or two of them he was going after.”
Kristi also referenced the brutality of the attack on her daughter, saying Goncalves was stabbed dozens of times, including repeated injuries to her face.
Asked what she would say directly to Kohberger if she could, she said she would press him for an explanation.
“You know this because you were there. You broke bones in her face. You knocked her teeth out, you broke her nose, her ocular bones were broken. Can you just tell me why?”
She continued by appealing to him as one parent to another.
“I’m a mother, and you have a mother, too. Can you please just tell me why?”
Her father Steve said he believes a straightforward account of what happened would bring some measure of clarity.
“That’s all you would have to do. Explain to us how that happened and what other weapon you used.”
Authorities have said they have not been able to determine whether one person was specifically targeted, or why these students were chosen.
Still, Kristi said she hasn’t given up hope that the truth could emerge someday, because Kohberger remains alive and could decide to talk.
“There’s still a chance that we could get that answer. He’s still alive in prison.
“Maybe one day he’ll choose to speak to a journalist, and will spill the beans. Who knows. Maybe he won’t. Maybe he’ll hold onto it forever. But there’s still a chance.”