The youngest sister of Kaylee Goncalves has publicly spoken for the first time about losing her sibling. This comes after Bryan Kohberger, who admitted to killing Goncalves and three other University of Idaho students, petitioned to withdraw his guilty plea and request a trial.
Aubrie Goncalves Shares Her Perspective
Aubrie Goncalves, 20, discussed her decision to speak out nearly four years after her sister was killed. Her sister, Kaylee Goncalves, was 21 when she was killed in an off-campus house along with Xana Kernodle, 20; Ethan Chapin, 20; and Madison Mogen, 21. Aubrie has described them as “family.”
“When everything happened, I was a sophomore in high school,” Aubrie said. “I was only 16 and decided no words could bring back my sisters. Now, almost four years later, I realize words still won’t bring them back, but they keep their memories alive.”
Aubrie added that she participates in these discussions to ensure that Maddie and Kaylee’s names remain remembered.
Kohberger’s Legal Maneuver and Response
Kaylee Goncalves was one of the four University of Idaho students found stabbed to death in 2022. Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty in 2025 to the murders, waiving his right to appeal or trial in exchange for avoiding a death penalty conviction, receiving four life sentences.
On July 27, Aubrie released a Facebook statement after Kohberger filed for post-conviction relief in an Idaho court, seeking to retract his guilty plea and have a trial. She expressed her sentiments on the matter:
“I wasn’t planning on saying anything today,” she wrote. “But after seeing that the man who admitted to murdering four innocent people now wants to withdraw his guilty plea, I couldn’t stay silent. For him, it might be another legal filing, but for me, it’s another day without my sister.”
Impact on the Family and Public Attention
Kohberger’s action coincided with the release of a Netflix documentary titled “The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare,” involving the Goncalves family.
Aubrie emphasized that this case isn’t about entertainment or theories, stating, “Every time the case is spotlighted due to further filings or theories, families like mine have to relive the worst days of our lives.” She stressed the importance of remembering the lives lost.
In a video interview, her parents, Steve and Kristi, joined her in sharing memories of Kaylee. Aubrie recalled her sister’s positive spirit and described her as “the bubbliest human ever.” She noted Kaylee’s work ethic and motivation to keep moving forward even now.
Family’s Ongoing Struggle
Alivea Goncalves, the oldest of the siblings, addressed Kohberger’s petition as well. “The fact that someone behind bars can still harm their victims’ loved ones is difficult to handle,” she said. “This will remain unresolved for us until the defendant is no longer living.”
Kohberger claims misinformation and deceit led to his guilty plea. Represented by a public defender, his petition stated, “My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, based on false promises and blatant disinformation, must be withdrawn.”
NBC News contacted Kohberger’s legal team and other victims’ families for comments but received no replies.