Idaho College Student Tried to Escape Stabbing Suspect Bryan Kohberger But Was Trapped, Parents Say

One of the four University of Idaho students who were fatally stabbed last year tried to escape from the killer but was trapped, according to her parents. 

Kaylee Goncalves’ parents told "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant that their daughter tried to escape, but she was trapped by the suspect and because of how the bedroom was set up.

“There’s evidence to show that she awakened and tried to get out of that situation, [but] she was assaulted and stabbed,” said Kaylee’s father Steve Goncalves.

Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminal justice PhD student, is accused of  fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20 and Xana Kernodle, 20 inside an off-campus house on November, 13, 2022. 

The police arrested Kohberger on December 30 at his parents’ house in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania. He is facing charges of four counts of first-degree murder.

Kaylee’s mother, Kristi Goncalves, said on the “48 Hours” episode, which will be airing on Saturday, that her daughter had several stabbing wounds and that the bedroom’s layout made it difficult to escape.

"The bed was up against the wall. The headboard was touching the wall and the left side of the bed was touching the wall. And we believe that Maddie was on the outside and Kaylee was on the inside," she said. "The way the bed was set up … she was trapped."

Goncalves and Mogen were found dead next to each other in the same bed, according to CBS News.

Steve Goncalves said that his daughter and Mogen were sleeping in a room on the third floor of the house when Kohberger attacked them. Mogen was his first victim before he allegedly killed Kaylee. 

Kristi Goncalves believes Kohberger didn’t expect to find the two best friends, who have known each other since childhood, together in the same bed. 

"I do think that his plan went awry. I do think that, you know, he intended to kill one and killed four,” she said.

Kohberger recently waived his right to a speedy trial, thus pushing his trial start date that was originally scheduled for October 2. His lawyers also filed a motion to dismiss the grand jury indictment, according to the Idaho Statesman.

The suspected murderer was arraigned on May 22, during which he pleaded not guilty after he initially refused to enter a plea. Idaho prosecutors said in June that they are seeking the death penalty for Kohberger by either a firing squad or lethal injection if he is convicted. 

Steve Goncalves has been outspoken about his daughter’s murder and seeking justice. The Goncalves family launched a Facebook page to keep track of messages, tips, and information related to their daughter's murder. The page had 49,000 followers as of Thursday afternoon.