More than three years after their daughter’s tragic death, Kaylee Goncalves’ parents are opening up about their painful struggle to forgive the man convicted of killing her. As Bryan Kohberger fights to reverse his own guilty plea, the family shares a raw and emotional new chapter in this heart-wrenching case.
Speaking with Sean Hannity, Kristi Goncalves admitted she turns to her faith for guidance, questioning how to move forward. “According to the Bible, we need to forgive him,” she said. “But Steve said he’s never asked for forgiveness.
He’s never showed an ounce of remorse.”
Kohberger, 31, pleaded guilty in 2025 to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in the stabbing deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. That deal spared him the death penalty, landing him four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years for burglary.
But now, court documents show the convicted killer is asking a judge to undo that entire plea, putting the victims’ families through more turmoil. “He entered that house with intent to 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁… and I’m struggling with forgiving that,” Kristi added, her voice heavy with emotion.
The parents described facing the man who took their daughter. “I feel like he is a demon. I feel like he is… the devil himself,” Kristi said, recalling his cold stare during her impact statement.
“I don’t know if he’s human at all.”
Steve Goncalves was blunt, promising to fight any attempt to overturn the sentence. “If anybody wants to entertain this appeal… I will blast this case through the roof,” he warned.
Kristi admitted she still prays for answers. “I say, ‘God, I know I’m supposed to forgive him, but how? How do I forgive him?
He did such horrible things.’” She added, “Am I supposed to forgive a demon? Am I supposed forgive the devil?”
As this case takes another unexpected turn, one question lingers for everyone following it—what comes next in this agonizing legal battle?
