The shocked and grieving sister of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four University of Idaho students murdered in November as they slept in an off-campus housing unit, gave her first interview since the arrest of the prime suspect, Bryan Kohberger.
In the Sunday interview with NewsNation, Alivea Stevenson noted that the Goncalves family was completely unaware that “true evil” was monitoring the movements of her sister and friends.
“We had no idea. She had no idea. I had no idea that true evil was genuinely watching them,” Alivea Stevenson told NewsNation.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the alleged murderer visited the King Road off-campus housing unit at least 12 times before the quadruple murder occurred.
The coroner’s statement noted that Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Ethan Chapin, 20; and Xana Kernodle, 20, were stabbed to death between 3 and 4 a.m. on Nov. 13.
In reflecting on how the murderer reportedly stalked his victims, Stevenson said, “That’s been the hardest part of this, is to sit back and look at the totality of it.”
Stevenson continued: “When my sister was FaceTiming me about a new egg bites recipe, he was planning his next visit to the home. That’s really difficult not to wish that you had done more and wish that you had known more.”
Stevenson thanked the Moscow Police Department, which had taken the brunt of much criticism when neither a murder weapon nor a suspect was produced after more than a month of investigating the murders.
Stevenson also thanked the Idaho State Police and the FBI for their roles in investigating the case and apprehending Kohberger in Pennsylvania on Dec. 31.
Kohberger has been charged with felony burglary (with intent to kill) and four counts of first-degree murder.
Regarding Kohberger’s arrest, Stevenson said: “The relief we all felt having a suspect in custody, I can’t even describe it. The weight of the world was lifted from our shoulders.”
Kohberger, a Washington State University Ph.D. criminal justice and criminology student, has denied the allegations through his Pennsylvania lawyer.
Stevenson also noted that the Goncalves family is in the early stages of setting up a foundation in Kaylee’s memory.
Isaac Sanchez, a junior at the University of Idaho, commented to NBC on the mood on campus following the arrest of Kohberger: “I feel better sort of knowing that they have the suspect in custody, that there is a chance this might all be behind us soon enough.”
Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer told “Fox & Friends” Monday that Kohberger possibly attended a memorial service for the four slain students on Dec. 1.
“Absolutely typical behavior,” said Coffindaffer. “They want to be in the midst of what’s happening. Listen to the rumors, be abreast of everything.”
Coffindaffer also noted that according to the affidavit, on the morning of the murders, Kohberger allegedly drove to the murder site on King Road home shortly after 9 a.m. – hours before police were notified.
Kohberger will appear in the Latah County Court on Thursday. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
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