Bryan Kohberger Has Received Nearly $30,000 In Donations While Behind Bars For Idaho Murders

Bryan Kohberger has no excuse not to pay restitution to the families of his victims.

In a ruling filed on Thursday, November 13, judge Steven Hippler ordered the killer, 30, to pay the families of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, the full amount he owes according to the deal he made after pleading guilty to their brutal 2022 murders, along with an additional $3,000 requested for Goncalves and Mogen’s urns.

“He has received nearly enough through donations to cover the amount of restitution already ordered,” Hippler wrote, noting that Kohberger received “several hundred donations totaling $28,360.96” while behind bars. “According to defense counsel, many of these donations came from Defendant’s family members.”

“While these funds may no longer be available to Defendant, it is foreseeable he will continue to receive donations in the future, particularly given that much of the donated amounts came from his family,” continued the judge. “In addition, there is no reason Defendant cannot secure prison employment for remuneration.”

“Given his limited needs in prison and his youth, it is foreseeable that through employment and donations, Defendant may receive sufficient amounts over his life to at least come close to meeting his financial restitution obligations,” Hippler added.

According to his deal, Kohberger must pay $20,000 to each family, plus a total about $35,000 in funeral expenses for the University of Idaho students. He also owes $251,227.50 in fees and fines, but those would be due after the families receive their money.

Kohberger is serving four consecutive life sentences at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution.