Goncalves family wants to refund donations after Kohberger plea deal
Share and Follow

()  The family of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves wants to refund more than $85,000 they received on a GoFundMe that was created to support their expenses during Bryan Kohberger’s capital murder trial.

Steve Goncalves, Kaylee’s father, told TMZ that he does not want to mislead the public who donated, stating he won’t “bait and switch these beautiful people like (Latah County Prosecutor) Bill Thompson did to our family.”

Kohberger’s murder trial in the slayings of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin had been slated to begin in August. However, he accepted a surprise plea deal that took the death penalty off the table. He will now serve life in prison without parole. He is now scheduled to be formally sentenced on July 23.

The Goncalves family noted that “many people have been talking” about the family’s GoFundMe page, which was created to support their expenses to travel for Kohberger’s trial.

Kaylee Goncalves

“Please give me time to figure out the best way to do this. I can’t just ask gofundme to reimburse everyone, as the money has already been deposited into my bank account, and is no longer held by gofundme,” the family wrote in a statement on Facebook.

Many families of the victims had planned on living in Boise, Idaho, for the duration of the trial.

The victims’ families have been divided on the plea. The Goncalves family has criticized the deal, calling it hurried and secretive.

A family member of one victim told that upon hearing of the plea deal, she felt like “all the power had been given back to Kohberger.”

“This is the opposite of our will,” Steve Goncalves told ’s “Banfield” in his first national interview since the plea deal report. “There was no majority (of victims’ survivors) believing that this was acceptable.”

’s Ashleigh Banfield, Patrick Djordjevic, Damita Menezes and Safia Samee Ali contributed to this story.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Judge rules redacted transcript, audio recording of sealed Charlie Kirk hearing can be released

Judge Approves Release of Redacted Transcript and Audio from Sealed Charlie Kirk Hearing

In a recent decision, a judge has approved the release of both…
Eggs unshelled: The healthiest ways to eat eggs, from fried to poached

Crack the Code: Discover the Healthiest Ways to Enjoy Eggs, From Frying to Poaching

In the UK, eggs are beloved in all their forms, whether scrambled,…
Chicago shooting: St. Sabina Church suspends Sunday basketball games after nearby shooting leaves 3 injured

St. Sabina Church Halts Sunday Hoops: Unpacking the Impact of a Nearby Chicago Shooting on Community Safety

In Chicago, a significant change is taking place at Saint Sabina Church…
Zelenskyy claims Trump said US will consider giving Ukraine decades of security guarantees

Zelenskyy Reveals Trump’s Bold Proposal: Decades-Long Security Guarantees for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed a desire for long-term security assurances from…
I was a California girl forced into Saudi Arabian servitude

California Woman Recounts Harrowing Experience of Forced Servitude in Saudi Arabia

Elise Martin had just celebrated her 20th birthday. To fellow shoppers at…
Maria Shriver leads emotional family tributes to Tatiana Schlossberg

Maria Shriver Honors Tatiana Schlossberg with Heartfelt Family Tributes

Heartfelt tributes are pouring in following the tragic passing of Tatiana Schlossberg,…
Hamas confirms five leaders killed, including 'masked spokesperson' in major blow to terror group

Hamas Acknowledges Loss of Five Key Leaders, Including Prominent ‘Masked Spokesperson,’ in Significant Setback

Hamas has confirmed the loss of five of its senior leaders, marking…
Stephen Colbert's reason to 'slip into the body' of Donald Trump

Stephen Colbert Reveals the Surprising Motivation Behind His Donald Trump Impersonation

Stephen Colbert, known for his sharp wit and ongoing sparring with President…