Kristi Goncalves, the mother of University of Idaho murder victim Kaylee Goncalves, says she is struggling with the idea of forgiving Bryan Kohberger.
According to the source report, Kristi and her husband, Steve Goncalves, appeared on Sean Hannity’s “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast, where Kristi spoke about the emotional and spiritual weight of forgiveness after her daughter’s killing.
Kristi said she knows people are often taught to forgive others, but described Kohberger in stark terms, calling him a “demon” and “the Devil himself,” according to the report. She questioned whether forgiveness should extend to someone she views in that way.
She also said she sensed something “non-human” about Kohberger, particularly while reading her victim impact statement to him, the source reported.
Steve Goncalves reportedly remained quiet during that portion of the podcast. The source noted that he has recently expressed a different focus: in an interview on “TODAY,” Steve said he wants Kohberger’s appeal for a trial granted because he wants the murder trial to be heard in court.
The source states that Kohberger is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to the killings of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. It also reports that Kohberger has recently claimed his lawyers pressured him to plead guilty despite maintaining that he is innocent.
Those claims should be treated carefully unless confirmed through court records or direct legal filings. The source presents Kohberger’s statement as his claim, not as an established fact.
The Goncalves family’s comments reflect the continuing grief and conflict surrounding one of the country’s most closely watched murder cases: a mother wrestling with forgiveness, a father seeking a public trial, and a defendant reportedly challenging the circumstances of his plea.
