QUADRUPLE murderer Bryan Kohberger’s family has thrown its support behind his shock bid to withdraw his guilty plea.
Kohberger, 31, is serving four consecutive life sentences without parole after admitting to killing University of Idaho students.
Brian Kohberger is seen in court after admitting to killing the four young students Credit: AP
The Kohberger family leaves the Ada County Courthouse after the Bryan Kohberger’s sentencing Credit: AP
The victims were Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.
But more than a year after striking a deal that spared him the death penalty, Kohberger is now seeking to tear up his plea and claims he was pressured into falsely admitting to the November 2022 murders.
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In a stunning move, his family has now publicly backed his attempt to reopen the case, while insisting their support is not intended to cause further pain to the victims’ loved ones.
“Our full support of Bryan’s decision to pursue post-conviction relief does not come from a place of disregard,” the Kohberger family said in a statement released through their attorney.
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“We have no wish to compound the unimaginable grief the families have borne so courageously.”
They added: “Rather, it comes from our family’s need to see that the complete and unvarnished truth is told.”
“Like everyone, we seek answers to all the questions that have been raised, which can only be addressed through a proper trial, as opposed to an improper plea.”
The family also stressed that the four murdered students and their loved ones remain in their thoughts as Kohberger launches his new legal fight.
“As a family, we continue to carry the victims, their families, and the entire Moscow community in our hearts and daily prayer,” the statement says.
“We continue to love and support Bryan and we continue to respect the memory of those lost.”
Bryan Kohberger brutally stabbed the four friends in the middle of the night after breaking into their off-campus home Credit: AP
Dylan Mortensen, the surviving roommate, gets a hug after speaking during the sentencing hearing in Boise, Idaho Credit: EPA
“We seek to find justice and a conclusive resolution through the legal process.”
Kohberger’s plea deal was controversial as some of the victims’ families wanted the option of going to trial, while others were glad they could focus on healing.
His parents, Maryann and Michael Kohberger, had been regular fixtures at court proceedings throughout the case and were seen supporting their son as he fought the charges.
Maryann and Kohberger’s sister Amanda were present for his July sentencing, while his father and other sister, Melissa “Mel” Kohberger, had attended earlier proceedings.
Mel later became the first member of the family to speak extensively about the murders, telling The New York Times that she would have turned her brother in herself if she had known he was responsible and revealing their mother prays for the victims’ families every day.
The former criminology PhD student pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary under an agreement with prosecutors that removed the possibility of a death sentence.
Judge Steven Hippler later sentenced him to four consecutive life terms without parole for the murders, along with an additional 10 years for burglary.
However, Kohberger filed a handwritten petition for post-conviction relief from prison in July, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel and claiming his guilty plea was not entered knowingly or voluntarily.
He alleges his former attorneys used “unkept promises” and threats to persuade him to take the deal and claims he was “convinced to falsely confess.”
Kohberger has also alleged his lawyers failed to properly disclose or review evidence he believes could have helped his defense, including what he described in court filings as unknown hair found in Ethan Chapin’s hand.
“My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn,” Kohberger said in a statement provided to The New York Times after launching his challenge.
His new claims stand in stark contrast to what he told the court when he pleaded guilty last year.
During his July 2025 change-of-plea hearing, Hippler repeatedly questioned Kohberger about his decision, and Kohberger said he was entering the pleas freely and voluntarily and confirmed he was pleading guilty because he was guilty.
Under Idaho law, withdrawing a guilty plea after sentencing requires a defendant to demonstrate a “manifest injustice,” setting a significant legal hurdle for Kohberger’s attempt to undo his convictions.
He has also sought to remove Hippler from the post-conviction proceedings, arguing comments the judge made during his sentencing demonstrated bias against him.
Kohberger has further asked for proceedings to be returned to Latah County, where the students were killed, with a hearing over the judge and venue issues scheduled for October 15.
A status conference in the wider post-conviction case is currently scheduled for June 3, 2027, followed by an evidentiary hearing on June 17.
