In a surprising revelation, Bryan Kohberger’s sister has clarified the meaning behind a “creepy” black heart drawing that was seen during his sentencing for the Idaho murders. According to Melissa Kohberger, this symbol was actually a heartfelt gesture from his family, intended to show their continued support despite the heinous nature of his crimes.

Melissa, aged 34, explained that she sent the black heart to her 31-year-old brother ahead of his sentencing in July, where he faced charges for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students. The gesture was meant to convey that the family had not abandoned him, even under such distressing circumstances.

Though she remained at home in Pennsylvania to care for their father, Michael, who suffers from heart issues, Melissa wanted her brother to know he was still loved. Her drawing was photocopied and presented to Kohberger, who was spotted reflecting on it as he received a life sentence without parole for the November 2022 killings of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in Moscow, Idaho.

Speaking with The New York Times, Melissa’s disclosure marks the first instance where a member of Kohberger’s family has publicly addressed his appalling actions. This insight sheds light on the family’s difficult position and their complex emotional responses to the tragedy.

Melissa’s chat with The New York Times is the first time one of Kohberger’s relatives has spoken publicly about his horrific crimes.  

Melissa, a 34-year-old psychologist who lives in New Jersey, says her family still struggles to reconcile the man they knew with the quadruple murderer who is now one of America’s most infamous killers. 

She repeatedly stressed that their pain pales in comparison to what is being suffered by the families of Kohberger’s victims

Melissa also revealed the two instances when she and Kohberger discussed the murders prior to his arrest. 

Melissa ‘Mel’ Korberger, 34, had drawn a picture of a heart that was given to her brother, Bryan Kohberger, at his sentencing in July 

The drawing appeared to be a black heart with a multi-colored square background. She had drawn it to show that his family still loved him, even if she couldn’t attending the sentencing 

After the initial story broke, Melissa said she called her brother to share her concerns for his safety because of his fondness for late night jogs and leaving his doors unlocked. 

‘Bryan, you are running outside, and this psycho killer is on the loose. Be careful,’ she told her brother. 

Kohberger had promised he’d be safe. 

The next time they discussed the murders was the next month, after Kohberger drove his white Hyundai Elantra across the country to spend Christmas with his family in Pennsylvania. 

Days before his December 2022 arrest, Kohberger remarked in passing that police in Idaho were still hunting for the killer.  

Melissa recalled the moment her older sister Amanda, 37, called to say the FBI had raided their home, cuffed Kohberger and taken him away.

‘(Amanda) was like: “I’m with the FBI, Bryan’s been arrested,”. I was like: “For what?”‘

Hearing that her brother was suspected of being the Idaho murderer reduced Melissa to a state of nauseous shock, Melissa said. 

Melissa said her family fully accepts the gravity and evil of Kohberger’s crimes. But they continue to talk to Kohberger, who Melissa says enjoyed a happy childhood and who was close to his siblings and parents who’d always make an effort.  

After two years of protesting his innocence, the former PhD student finally confessed to the murders as part of a plea deal to save himself from the death penalty

Kohberger, who did not reveal his motive, murdered Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin (pictured with their roommates) in November 2022 

For his 31st birthday, which occurred in November, the former criminology student had requested the family made a cake Amanda would like, and he requested Melissa blow out the candles, she told the outlet. 

He’s also still indulging his interest in psychology, and the two siblings discuss them together.   

And when Melissa gets overwhelmed by what the family had to endure – such as, Melissa losing her new job in New Jersey – she reminds herself that the victims’ families have it much worse.   

Melissa is the first family member to speak publicly on her brother’s crimes. 

Many online sleuths have speculated that her parents knew more about the crime than they let on. They maintain that they knew nothing. 

Kohberger was arrested six weeks after the murder at his parents’ home. 

Investigators tracked him down after he left a KaBar leather knife sheath next to Mogen’s body at the scene. Through Investigative Genetic Genealogy, the FBI managed to trace DNA on the sheath to Kohberger.

His motive for the murders still remains a mystery, with Kohberger having no known connection to any of the victims or their friends.

It never crossed Melissa’s mind that her brother could be behind the killings, so she was shocked when her sister, Amanda (pictured) called her to say Kohberger had been arrested 

Melissa is the first family member to speak publicly on the family’s ordeal during the trial. Many online sleuths have speculated that her parents, Michael (pictured) and Maria, knew more about the crime than they let on. They maintain that they knew nothing

Prosecutors believe Kohberger did not intend to kill all four victims that night – but did intend to kill someone and had planned his attack for months, buying a KaBar knife from Amazon to use as his murder weapon in March 2022.

After two years of protesting his innocence, the former PhD student finally confessed to the murders as part of a plea deal to save himself from the death penalty.

He was handed down a sentence of four life sentences.  

The Daily Mail has reached out to Melissa for comment.