Parents of Idaho massacre victim face daily nightmare while demanding death penalty after shock plea twist
The parents of University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves opened up about the daily reality of losing their daughter, revealing their morning thoughts and nightly prayers since her murder.
Speaking on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast, Kristi and Steve Goncalves detailed their emotional struggle as convicted killer Bryan Kohberger attempts to withdraw his guilty plea in the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022.
"The first thing every single morning I often ask myself: Is this going to be forever? Will this eventually end? Will it eventually, will it not be the first thing that I think about when I open my eyes?" Kristi told host Sean Hannity.
"But at this point I've learned that it's just the new way of life," she added.
Kaylee Goncalves was one of four University of Idaho students killed in November 2022. Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary as part of a deal that spared him the death penalty. He has since sought to withdraw his guilty plea.
Goncalves' father, Steve, added that every night, Kristi hopes their daughter visits her in her dreams so she can tell Kaylee she loves her.
"First and foremost, before she goes to bed, she's praying that Kaylee comes and visits her. She wants to have a conversation. She wants to talk to her. She wants to tell her she loves her. She wants to say everything that we can't say," Steve said.
"Then if you don't have that dream, you wake up disappointed that you didn't have a dream about your baby and had that conversation, and then you just try to fake through it," he added.
Kohberger is now seeking to withdraw the guilty plea that spared him the death penalty for the murders of Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle. He was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 10 years for burglary.
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In his post-conviction challenge, Kohberger argues he received ineffective assistance of counsel and was manipulated by his court-appointed attorneys into accepting the deal. He also alleges he was led to believe the deal would give him better prison conditions, and he now maintains that he is innocent.
The Goncalves family said Kohberger's attempt to withdraw his plea has been difficult for them after years of legal proceedings, but Kristi Goncalves said his latest challenge could provide another opportunity for prosecutors to pursue the death penalty.
"God is looking out for us," Kristi said. "And maybe this is because the first time around, it was wrong. And this time around, he's going to make sure it's done right, you know — and that is the death penalty."