Bryan Kohberger updates: Judge sentences Idaho killer to life, 1st police reports released

Bryan Kohberger declined to speak at the sentencing hearing.

Last Updated: July 23, 2025, 8:10 PM EDT

Families of the University of Idaho murder victims directly addressed the admitted killer, Bryan Kohberger, at his sentencing on Wednesday.

One of the surviving roommates also gave an emotional statement, speaking out for the first time.

Judge Steven Hippler acknowledged Kohberger's motive may never be known as he sentenced him to four consecutive life sentences on the four first-degree murder counts and the maximum penalty of 10 years on the burglary count.

The students -- roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin -- were stabbed to death at the girls' off-campus house on Nov. 13, 2022. On July 2, weeks before the trial was set to start, Kohberger pleaded guilty to all counts. As a part of the plea deal, the death penalty was taken off the table.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jul 23, 2025, 2:59 PM EDT

No link between Kohberger and victims: Police

Moscow police told reporters after court that they do not know which victim was the specific target.

“There was a reason that this particular house was chosen. What that reason is, we don’t know,” police added.

Asked if there was evidence that Bryan Kohberger was following the victims’ social media, police said, “We’ve looked for a link and we have not found one.”

Police said they do not have a motive.

Moscow police said they will release all police reports from the investigation.

Asked by reporters why prosecutors did not ask that Kohberger provide more answers as a part of the plea deal, prosecutor Bill Thompson responded, “The law does not give the court, or us, the power to require specific factual allocution.”

“We could have said, ‘Well, in order for us to move forward we want a factual allocution,’” Thompson said. “But I have to be perfectly candid -- I don't believe that there is anything that would come out of his mouth that would be the truth.”

Jul 23, 2025, 2:16 PM EDT

White House says nation grieves with families

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt opened Wednesday’s press briefing by addressing the victims’ families.

“We are so sorry for the grief and the pain you have experienced at the hands of such a vicious and evil killer. Our nation grieves with you, and we will never forget the precious souls who were lost in this horrific act of evil,” Leavitt said.

Leavitt also reiterated President Donald Trump's message from earlier this week that he wants Kohberger to reveal a motive.

"If it were up to the president, he would have forced this monster to publicly explain why he chose to steal these innocent souls," Leavitt said.

Jul 23, 2025, 2:15 PM EDT

Kaylee Goncalves stabbed 34 times, family says

The Goncalves family told ABC News after court that “the details are more horrific than we can imagine.”

They said Kaylee Goncalves was stabbed 34 times and someone else was stabbed more times.

Jul 23, 2025, 1:43 PM EDT

Judge: Focusing on motive gives Kohberger relevance he seeks

Judge Steven Hippler called Bryan Kohberger a “coward” who “slithered through the sliding glass door at 1122 King Road” and “now stands unmasked.”

This “unfathomable and senseless act of evil has caused immeasurable pain and loss,” Hippler said. “No parent should ever have to bury their child. This is the greatest tragedy that can be inflicted upon a person.”

“We are now certain who committed these unspeakable acts of evil, but what we don’t know, and what we may never know, is why,” he said.

Hipper said he wants to know the motive, but that “by continuing to focus on why, we continue to give Mr. Kohberger relevance,” and the “spotlight, attention and power he appears to crave.”

Bryan Kohberger, 30, appears for his sentencing hearing after he was convicted in the 2022 stabbing deaths of four Idaho college students, at the Ada County Courthouse, in Boise, Idaho, July 23, 2025.
Kyle Green/via Reuters

Hipper said he cannot legally force Kohberger to speak, and said even if he did speak, there’s no way to know if he would tell the truth.

"Even in pleading guilty, he's giving nothing hinting of remorse or redemption," Hippler said, and said he will not speak of him further beyond sentencing him.

Hippler sentenced Kohberger to four consecutive life sentences and 10 years for burglary.

Kohberger appeared to try to speak to his mom before he was escorted from the courtroom.

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