Prosecutors and investigators said Wednesday they still don’t know why the four murdered University of Idaho students were targeted and what the motive for the slayings was.
Officials held a press conference in the Ada County Courthouse shortly after Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life terms for killing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin on Nov. 13, 2022.
Members of the Moscow Police Department, Latah County Prosecutor’s Office, Idaho State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Idaho Attorney General’s Office gave statements regarding the events of the King Road Homicides and ensuing investigations.
It was clear that each member of the panel was emotionally impacted by the events of the past two-and-a-half years, as several speakers fought tears while addressing the room.
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson addressed the consecutive life sentences as both “life and death.” The removal of the possibility of parole paired with this sentence guarantees the defendant will die in an Idaho prison.
While it wasn’t the outcome several of the victims’ families wanted, Thompson felt justice was served.
Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador echoed this sentiment. “Today’s sentencing ensures one thing, that the perpetrator will never again walk free,” he said. “In fact, he will never harm another family.”
Upon comments regarding the defendant’s lack of statement, Thompson responded with his belief that he wouldn’t have spoken the truth had he spoken at all. He encouraged the public to move on from giving attention to the defendant and to focus instead on the lives of Kernodle, Mogen, Goncalves and Chapin.
Thompson and MPD Chief of Police Anthony Dahlinger were joined by Cpl. Brett Payne and Lt. Darren Gilbertson of MPD and ISP respectively. Payne and Gilbertson were lead investigators in the case and provided insight into the timeline between Nov. 13, 2022, and July 23, 2025.
The investigators assured the audience that the plethora of information previously sealed from the public was being intensely reviewed by the departments to which they belonged. MPD released several documents after the press conference late Wednesday.
Dahlinger, Thompson, Payne and Gilbertson acknowledged how little they truly knew of the defendant and his motives.
At this time, it is unclear why the 1122 King Rd. home was targeted, if there was a singular target, if the victims and the defendant had met prior to Nov. 13 or where the murder weapon is.
Officials speculated that the defendant may have stalked the victims for a length of time, contributing to the belief that the victims’ home was targeted.
Payne and Gilbertson speculated that the King Road Residence, located just off campus, was heavily frequented when classes were in session, making it difficult to notice a stalker.
Thompson shared that the defendant had undergone psychological evaluations once in custody, which proved irrelevant to the case at hand. This suggested he was of sound enough mind to be held accountable for the heinous crimes committed that night.
Mackenzie Davidson can be reached at [email protected].