The father of murder victim Kaylee Goncalves is trying to give back tens of thousands of dollars in donations following Bryan Kohberger's plea deal.
The $85,000 was raised through GoFundMe to help pay for travel expenses the family expected to incur from an extended trial. However, on July 2, Kohberger pleaded guilty to murdering Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, in November 2022. By making the plea, Kohberger avoided a possible death sentence and will serve life in prison.
TMZ reported that most donors have told the family not to worry about refunding the money, but that the family is committed to making the refunds, in part because of the anger they have over the plea deal doled out by prosecutors on the case.
TMZ reported that Kaylee's father, Steve Goncalves, told them that he wasn't about "to bait and switch these beautiful people like [lead prosecutor] Bill Thompson did to our family."
"The death penalty is merely an illusion in the criminal justice system. When available, it serves as a bargaining tool for the State, and when rarely applied, it's never enforced due to a highly inefficient appellate process," the family said in a statement according to TMZ.
Fox 13 posted a social media screenshot from the family in the aftermath of the deal, which states, "It's true! We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us. Please give us time. This was very unexpected. We appreciate all of your love and support."
https://www.tmz.com/2025/07/07/goncalves-family-returning-donations-bryan-kohberger-idaho/
