Thu Jul 24 01:39:49 UTC 2025: ## The Hindu: U.S. Gripped as Kohberger Sentenced to Life for Idaho Murders

**Los Angeles, United States – July 24, 2025, 07:09 am IST** – Bryan Kohberger, the criminology student who murdered four University of Idaho students in their beds in 2022, was sentenced to four life sentences without the possibility of parole in a Boise, Idaho courtroom on Wednesday. The sentencing brings a degree of closure to a case that has captivated and horrified the United States.

Kohberger, who was studying at Washington State University at the time of the murders, broke into a shared student house in Moscow, Idaho and stabbed Kaylee Goncalves (21), Madison Mogen (21), Xana Kernodle (20), and Ethan Chapin (20) to death. His motive remains unknown, as he declined to offer any explanation during the sentencing hearing.

The case became a national obsession, fueled by intense media coverage and speculation across the internet. The investigation led authorities to Kohberger’s parents’ home in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested after DNA evidence linked him to the crime.

In a surprising turn, Kohberger agreed to plead guilty earlier this month, taking the death penalty off the table. The plea deal has drawn criticism from some of the victims’ families, who expressed disappointment that Kohberger would not face execution and would still be allowed to communicate and interact with the world, while their loved ones are forever silenced.

Judge Steven Hippler, handing down the sentence, condemned Kohberger’s actions and stated his desire to strip him of any further attention or power. He expressed sympathy for the families, acknowledging that they may never understand why Kohberger committed such a horrific act.

The sentencing hearing included emotional tributes from the victims’ families and friends, many of whom expressed their grief and anger towards Kohberger. Some voiced hope that Kohberger would face punishment from fellow inmates during his incarceration.

The case highlights the devastating impact of violent crime and the enduring pain experienced by victims’ families. The sentencing marks the end of a long and difficult chapter, but the memory of the victims will undoubtedly endure.

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