Bryan Kohberger, the former criminology doctoral student accused of killing four University of Idaho students in a brutal 2022 stabbing spree, pleaded guilty in court Wednesday as part of a deal to avoid the death penalty.
Kohberger, 30, admitted to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in connection to the November 13, 2022, killings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves at an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.
The plea deal will result in four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 10-year sentence for burglary. The court is not bound to the sentencing terms, though Kohberger waived his right to appeal or request a different sentence.
BREAKING: Former criminology Ph.D. student Bryan Kohberger pleads guilty to the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022.
Kohberger pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty in exchange for four consecutive life sentences.
The lives of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle,… pic.twitter.com/2WUMAntGLs
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 2, 2025
Details of the Court Hearing
The plea hearing began just after 11 a.m. local time in an Ada County courtroom. Judge Steven Hippler instructed the room to refrain from outbursts and confirmed he had only learned of the plea agreement days prior.
When asked directly whether he was pleading guilty because he committed the crimes, Kohberger responded, “Yes.” He then confirmed his responsibility for the deaths of each of the four students individually. Victims’ family members wept quietly as the charges were read aloud.
The guilty plea comes nearly two years after the gruesome killings. Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania in December 2022, about six weeks after the murders.
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Inside the Plea Agreement
According to a letter from the Latah County Prosecutor’s Office shared by victim Madison Mogen’s father, Kohberger’s attorneys requested the deal, which he later accepted.
Had the case gone to trial, prosecutors planned to present DNA evidence tying Kohberger to a knife sheath left at the crime scene. Investigators said the sheath matched one Kohberger had purchased online, and that DNA from a single male source on the item was linked to him. Surveillance footage and cellphone data also placed Kohberger near the victims’ home around the time of the killings.
Notably, the murder weapon itself has never been found.
Reaction From the Victims’ Families
The families of the victims expressed mixed emotions about the plea agreement.
The Goncalves family criticized the state of Idaho, writing in a Facebook statement that they were “beyond furious” and believed the officials had failed them. They called for a full confession, including the location of the murder weapon and clarity on whether Kohberger acted alone.
In contrast, Madison Mogen’s father, Ben Mogen, expressed relief. Speaking to CBS Mornings, he said the agreement would allow his family to move forward without prolonged court proceedings.
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“We can actually put this behind us,” Mogen said. “We get to just think about the rest of our lives and how to do it without Maddie and the rest of the kids.”
What’s Next
Sentencing is scheduled for July 23 and is expected to conclude in one day. During the hearing, families will be given the opportunity to deliver victim impact statements.
Kohberger’s trial was originally set to begin in August after multiple delays and had been moved from Latah County to Boise due to concerns about finding an impartial jury. A previous request from Kohberger’s legal team to exclude the death penalty was denied in 2024.
The court also rejected a defense motion arguing that unidentified alternate suspects could have committed the crimes, calling the claim “rank speculation” unsupported by evidence.
A statement released by the Kohberger family’s attorney urged privacy and respect, adding that the family would not comment further and would allow the legal process to unfold.
Online Reactions
The news of Bryan Kohberger’s guilty plea sparked a wave of emotional responses online, as the public weighed in on the unexpected resolution of the highly followed case.
Many social media users chatted online with an array of feelings. Some think that Kohberger deserved the death penalty for his crimes while others were relieved that the families didn’t have to endure a prolonged court case and that Kohberger will be in jail with no possibility off parole. The discourse showcases ongoing frustrations with how the court systems work in severe cases like this.
A heartbreaking case. Justice must be served with fairness and respect for the victims and their families.
— Kanhiya Chauhan (@kanhiya_chauhan) July 2, 2025
