Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University, faces murder charges for the deaths of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin, who were killed at an off-campus house near the University of Idaho on Nov. 13, 2022. He had pleaded not guilty.
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() has learned a plea deal has been offered to Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, and he has accepted.

Sources confirm the prosecution has proposed dropping the death penalty in exchange for Kohberger pleading guilty to committing the murders and to a burglary charge.

has learned Kohberger must also agree to spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole and must waive his right to appeal.

A court hearing for a change of plea will be Wednesday.

Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University, faces murder charges for the deaths of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin, who were killed at an off-campus house near the University of Idaho on Nov. 13, 2022. He had pleaded not guilty.

Kaylee Goncalves family ‘beyond furious’ at Bryan Kohberger plea deal

Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University, faces murder charges for the deaths of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin, who were killed at an off-campus house near the University of Idaho on Nov. 13, 2022. He had pleaded not guilty.

In a statement on social media, the family of Goncalves said, “It’s true! We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us. Please give us some time. This was very unexpected. We appreciate all your love and support. #heartbroken #kayleejade4ever”

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.”

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

Family members tell they had no indication of a plea deal being offered and say they are shocked and have more questions, including whether Kohberger will confess to the killings.

  • Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University, faces murder charges for the deaths of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin, who were killed at an off-campus house near the University of Idaho on Nov. 13, 2022. He had pleaded not guilty.
  • Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University, faces murder charges for the deaths of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin, who were killed at an off-campus house near the University of Idaho on Nov. 13, 2022. He had pleaded not guilty.

Bryan Kohberger faces 4 murder charges connected to the killings

The students were found with fatal stab wounds in an off-campus rental home in the early morning hours.

Investigators believe the four students, thought to be sleeping at the time, were fatally stabbed between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. According to the coroner, there was no sign of sexual assault.

A little over a month after the killings, Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania on Dec. 30, 2022, and extradited to Idaho.

  • two girls smiling for a photo
  • Maddie May Mogen memorial plaque at the University of Idaho on Aug. 21, 2024.
  • Bryan Kohberger behind the wheel as seen in bodycam footage
  • People pay their respects at a vigil held in front of a statue on the Boise State campus in 2022.
  • Candles and flowers are left at a make-shift memorial honoring four slain University of Idaho students outside the Mad Greek restaurant in downtown Moscow, Idaho, on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022.

Court records showed that investigators identified Kohberger as the suspect through a combination of DNA evidence at the scene, cellphone records and the suspect’s white Hyundai Elantra.

A judge had granted a venue change for the murder trial from the small town of Moscow, Idaho, arguing the small local jury pool was likely tainted by pretrial publicity, after a request from Kohberger’s attorneys.

Latah County Judge John Judge also agreed with Kohberger’s lawyer on the massive publicity of the case making it difficult to find impartial jurors in Latah County. 

A trial date was initially set for October 2023, but after Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, it was pushed back until the summer of 2025.

Kohberger’s attorneys had tried to delay the trial, citing 68 terabytes of evidence to review.

The trial was scheduled to begin in August, with opening arguments expected Aug. 18.

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