Steve Goncalves on Bryan Kohberger: 'He was hunting them'

Steve Goncalves on Bryan Kohberger: ‘He was hunting them’

News, True CrimeBy Jan 07, 2023

THE FATHER of Kaylee Gonçalves, a victim of the King Road Homicides, alleges that there is evidence that suspect Bryan Kohberger was stalking his daughter and the other residents of the house prior to committing the crimes.

*Trigger Warning: This article discusses violent crimes. 

Per CNN, Steve Gonçalves shared his thoughts on Kohberger’s alleged aggression. He explained that evidence suggests the Ph.D. student had been targeting Kaylee and her friends long before the night of the murders. He says, “He was stalking them, he was hunting them. He was a person looking for an opportunity and it just happened to be in that house. And that’s hard to take.”

The Affidavit of Probable Cause alleges that Kohberger stalked the victims’ residence no less than 12 times prior to the murders.

An act of extraordinary cowardice

Kaylee and her friends Madison MogenXana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, were killed in a brutal knife attack on November 13, 2022 at their off-campus residence near the University of Idaho. Kohberger has been charged with first degree murder in connection with their deaths. Police believe he acted alone.

Mr. Gonçalves discussed the cowardly nature of Kohberger’s alleged crimes, explaining that his daughter and the other victims were probably asleep during the attack. He says, “She had her phone right next to her and she couldn’t call 911. So these were just girls that went to sleep that night and a coward […] picked his little opponent that was girls.”

Madison Mogen (left) and her best friend Kaylee Gonçalves (right) on International Women’s Day 2022. ©instagram.com/kayleegoncalves

Kaylee’s father also believes that Kohberger may have had some kind of contact with her and/or the other victims prior to the murders. He thinks it’s possible that the suspect may have had a particular focus on one or more of the students. He said, “I’d be a little bit surprised if there wasn’t a clearer touch point that would suggest that he was interested in one or two of the people more than he was the others.”

Steve Gonçalves and family are seeking the death penalty

Mr. Gonçalves shared that he and his wife, Kristi, attended Kohberger’s court hearing. He said Kohberger refused to make eye contact during the proceedings. He explains, “He knows I want him to look me in the eye. So he didn’t. He’s scared to look at me in the eyes […] understand what’s about to happen to him.”

Idaho is a state that carries the death penalty and the Gonçalves family are pursuing justice for their daughter Kaylee to the full extent of the law. Mr. Gonçalves shared his view on the matter, “You know, he picked the wrong family. We’re not scared of a conflict. We’re not running. We’re coming at him.”

Mr. Gonçalves said that someday his family forgive Kohberger for his alleged crimes. However, he thinks serving life in prison is not a sufficient punishment for taking the lives of Kaylee and her friends. He did not mince words about his stance, “He has to pay for what he’s done. If you want to play God’s role, then you’re going to have to go answer to Him.”


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Author

Manya Wakefield is a recovery coach specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy and coercive trauma. Her expertise has been featured in publications such as Newsweek, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Huffington Post. In 2019, she launched the social impact platform Narcissistic Abuse Rehab, building a global audience through human rights advocacy. The same year, she published the book ‘Are You In An Emotionally Abusive Relationship,’ which is used in domestic violence recovery groups around the world. In 2020, Manya developed The Coercive Control Legislation Global Database. She is also the host of The Narcissistic Abuse Rehab Podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon.