'We're beyond furious': Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger accepts plea deal

Hayat Norimine, Alex Brizee and Kevin Fixler, The Idaho Statesman on Jun 30, 2025

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BOISE, Idaho — Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the highly anticipated murder trial who is accused of killing four University of Idaho college students, accepted a plea deal, NewsNation first reported.

A victim’s family member told The Idaho Statesman that they received a letter, and provided the letter to the Statesman, confirming the plea deal.

Kohberger was accused of fatally stabbing the University of Idaho students in November 2022 in their off-campus Moscow home. He faced four first-degree murder charges and, if convicted, could have been sentenced to death in a trial that was slated to start with opening statements on Aug. 18.

The victims were University of Idaho seniors Madison Mogan and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21; junior Xana Kernodle, 20; and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20. The three women lived in the off-campus home with two female roommates who went unharmed in the attack, while Chapin was Kernodle’s boyfriend and stayed over for the night.

The plea deal offered to take the death penalty off the table, in exchange for Kohberger pleading guilty to the four first-degree murder charges. He will be sentenced to life in prison, and must waive his right to an appeal, NewsNation first reported.

“We are beyond furious at the state of Idaho. They have failed us,” the Goncalves family posted on its Facebook page. “Please give us some time. This was very unexpected. We appreciate all your love and support.”

The trial court administrator and spokesperson for the Idaho court system declined to comment.

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