Hints of inner turmoil faced by Bryan Kohberger's mother
Share and Follow

Bryan Kohberger’s mother was visibly emotional throughout his sentencing hearing despite the killer’s stone-cold demeanor.

MaryAnn Kohberger was present in the courtroom with Kohberger’s lookalike sister Amanda as Judge Steven Hippler delivered four life sentences for the ‘grotesque murders’ of Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

At several points during the victim impact statement portion of the hearing, MaryAnn ‘shuddered’ with emotion.

The killer’s mother reportedly wept quietly during the court proceedings and briefly sobbed when Mogen’s grandmother expressed her grief for the families of the other victims, as well as the Kohbergers.

She and her daughter sat quietly near the defense table, the only two people in the gallery there to support Kohberger.

His father did not attend, but he was present when Kohberger pleaded guilty earlier this month.

MaryAnn and Amanda were seen exiting through a back door of the courtroom after Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The shattered mom wore dark glasses to cover her face. Her hair was swept up in an updo, and she wore a black floral dress with dangly earrings.

Kohberger's sister Amanda, their mother MaryAnn and his defense attorney Anne Taylor were escorted out of the Ada County Courthouse by police after the intense hearing

Kohberger’s sister Amanda, their mother MaryAnn and his defense attorney Anne Taylor were escorted out of the Ada County Courthouse by police after the intense hearing

The Kohberger family issued a statement just days after his arrest, saying they would be standing by him

The Kohberger family issued a statement just days after his arrest, saying they would be standing by him

Amanda, meanwhile, looked straight down the lens of the camera as she exited first from the courthouse.

She and MaryAnn had traveled from their home in Pennsylvania to witness the conclusion of one of the most infamous crimes of the 21st century. 

They were escorted from the courtroom by police after and did not make any statement. 

The family issued a statement just days after Kohberger’s arrest, saying they would be standing by him.  

The statement said they ‘care deeply for the four families who have lost their precious children’ and that they were cooperating fully with the investigation. 

They added that ‘as a family we will love and support our son and brother.’

Kohberger has never explained his motive for carrying out the murders. He sat in court Wednesday as he heard heart-wrenching statements from families of the four students he stabbed to death. 

He was asked if he’d like to address the court, but said: ‘I respectfully decline.’

Cara Northington, the mother of victim Xana Kernodle, wipes her eye during the sentencing hearing

Cara Northington, the mother of victim Xana Kernodle, wipes her eye during the sentencing hearing

Pictured left to right: Housemates Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke in 2022

Pictured left to right: Housemates Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee’s shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke in 2022

Judge Hippler said the heartbroken families may never know why Kohberger killed their loved ones.

‘The need to know what is inherently not understandable makes us dependent upon the defendant to provide us with a reason, and that gives him the spotlight, the attention and the power he appears to crave,’ he said.

‘In my view, the time has now come to end Mr Kohberger’s 15 minutes of fame.

‘It’s time that he been consigned to the ignominy and isolation of perpetual incarceration.’

Kohberger was studying for a doctorate degree in criminology at Washington State University in 2022 when he drove to the small town of Moscow, Idaho and broke into the victims’ shared house.

He went from room to room stabbing four of the six occupants to death.

Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ house in Pennsylvania thousands of miles away on December 30 that year, after DNA found on a knife sheath was traced to him. 

He continued to deny the charges, despite mounting evidence, and appeared set to go to trial until this month when a shock plea deal was announced – sparing him the death penalty.

Amanda Kohberger delivered a glare that hauntingly resembled the expression her killer brother sported in court

Amanda Kohberger delivered a glare that hauntingly resembled the expression her killer brother sported in court

Kohberger has never explained his motive for carrying out the murders. He sat in court Wednesday as he heard heart-wrenching statements from families of the four students he stabbed to death

Kohberger has never explained his motive for carrying out the murders. He sat in court Wednesday as he heard heart-wrenching statements from families of the four students he stabbed to death

After the victim impact statements concluded on Wednesday, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson offered more details about how that plea bargain came about.

On June 18, Kohberger’s final motions were argued before the court – to delay the trial and to be able to accuse others of being alternate suspects.

‘The following week, we were approached by the defense on a possible plea,’ the prosecutor said.

This was the first mention of a possible plea as the defense ‘maintained from the beginning that he was innocent.’

Thompson, the prosecutor, said his office met with the victims’ families about the potential of a plea deal.

‘We understand, recognise and acknowledge that there was a difference of opinion among representatives of the different families,’ he said.

His office decided to take the plea deal, but accepts that not everyone supported his decision.

‘I accept that. It’s my responsibility,’ he said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
'Percy Jackson' season 2 trailer and new season 3 casting revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2025

“Season 2 Trailer for ‘Percy Jackson’ and Season 3 Casting Announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2025”

LOS ANGELES — Camp Half-Blood took over San Diego Comic-Con and a…
Bodies of 3 men recovered from Mississippi River after swimming, fishing on sandbar

Bodies of 3 men recovered from Mississippi River after swimming, fishing on sandbar

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The bodies of three…
Kelly Osbourne breaks her silence following death of her father Ozzy

Kelly Osbourne Speaks Out After the Passing of Her Father, Ozzy

Kelly Osbourne has spoken out after her father, Ozzy Osbourne, passed away,…
FCC greenlights $8.4B sale of CBS parent Paramount to Skydance

FCC Approves $8.4 Billion Acquisition of CBS Owner Paramount by Skydance

On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission gave the green light to the…
Pop-up inspired by "The Bear" brings iconic Chicago sandwich to Los Angeles

Pop-up Event Inspired by “The Bear” Introduces Famous Chicago Sandwich to Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — Chicagos juiciest icon just took a dip in Los…
CBS viewers shocked by Julie Chen Moonves and Big Brother contestant

CBS Audience Surprised by Julie Chen Moonves and Big Brother Participant

CBS viewers were taken by surprise on Thursday night when Big Brother…
Prediction markets forecast Zohran Mamdani to win NYC mayor race

Betting Markets Predict Zohran Mamdani as Favorite in NYC Mayoral Race

Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission…
Ukrainians protest law they say weakens anti-corruption agencies

Ukrainians Oppose Legislation They Claim Undermines Anti-Corruption Efforts

The legislation tightens government oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies. Critics say…