MOSCOW, Idaho – Thursday marked three years since the murder of four University of Idaho students in their off-campus home.
Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to the killings of Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Maddie Mogen this summer.
On Thursday, Judge Steven Hippler ruled that Kohberger must pay additional restitution to the Goncalves and Mogen families.
Ahead of the ruling, Kaylee’s parents, Steve and Kristi Goncalves, spoke about their ongoing healing process.
“Finding the finality of everything, we’re just kind of beginning the healing process. It kind of feels like we’re back to square one,” Kristi said.
Steve expressed the difficulty of moving forward with new information surfacing.
“You want to heal, but it was like a week ago, they released the (picture of the) sheath. Our kids’ nails and blood all over them. So, just when you think it’s over, they hit you with a new release. It’s hard,” he said.
The Goncalves family also discussed how the holidays have become more challenging.
“There’s a lot of dates throughout the year, every holiday, there’s an empty chair. It speaks louder than words. Everyone knows that chair’s empty. Everyone knows Kaylee’s not there,” Kristi said.
A recent report by Deadline revealed that Lifetime is making a movie about the case.
Steve commented on the situation, “You find out that even your own children and their stories … they can do it. It seems like an attack on your character to have somebody come into your life and steal it, and say that’s their kid and you portray them on a camera and portray them as mothers and fathers.”
Kristi added, “We never heard anything from them. There was never any asking or communication. Nothing.”
A recent TikTok shows the actors in the movie dancing in the victims’ clothes.
“They obviously have poor direction and leadership that’s a part of that production. Anybody who is a real director wouldn’t stand for that type of behavior, so it’s just going to be a slap by ambulance chasers trying to make a quick buck,” Steve said.
Recently, the Goncalves family found hope in an unexpected way. The family announced a new initiative.
“A dahlia grower in Oregon is naming a dahlia after Kaylee. The Kaylee Jade. It’s very heartfelt and emotional that she (dahlia grower) has stepped forward. Her name is Rosie and she’s an amazing woman,” Kristi said.
Rosie Cooper-Vert of Rivers Dahlias shared her involvement.
“We are honored to be involved,” she said.
The vibrant pink dahlia, named “Kaylee Jade,” will be available for purchase this December 26 through the farm’s website.
Kristi expressed excitement about the new flower.
“She’s beautiful and I can’t wait to get her in our yard next year and watch her grow and replant her every spring and see her get bigger and better every year,” she said.
Cooper-Vert said all funds raised from the sale will go to a new foundation honoring Kaylee, founded by Kristi to help those in need.
Steve highlighted the community’s support over the past three years.
“They gave us a tremendous amount of support and that’s who we thought of. If there’s some group that was put together to help people, they came to our mind because this was also the community that was hit the hardest,” he said.
More details on the foundation will be released at a later date, according to the Goncalves.
