The Kohberger family has made two substantive public statements about the Idaho murders case: a written statement issued through their attorney on January 2, 2023, days after Bryan Kohberger’s arrest, and an extended interview his sister Mel gave to the New York Times in January 2026, six months after he was sentenced to life in prison. Between those two moments, the family stayed almost entirely silent, declining media requests and letting the legal process play out.
The January 2023 Statement
Bryan Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania on December 30, 2022. Three days later, on January 2, 2023, Jason A. LaBar, the Monroe County chief public defender then representing Kohberger for extradition, released a written statement on the family’s behalf.1KTVL. Family of Idaho Slaying Suspect Expresses Sympathy, Support
The statement read in full:
“First and foremost we care deeply for the four families who have lost their precious children. There are no words that can adequately express the sadness we feel, and we pray each day for them. We will continue to let the legal process unfold and as a family we will love and support our son and brother. We have fully cooperated with law enforcement agencies in an attempt to seek the truth and promote his presumption of innocence rather than judge unknown facts and make erroneous assumptions. We respect privacy in this matter as our family and the families suffering loss can move forward through the legal process.”2ABC7 News. Bryan Kohberger’s Parents Release Statement
The statement opened with condolences for the four victims, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, and then shifted to a defense of their son’s legal rights. Speaking separately to reporters, LaBar said Kohberger was “eager to be exonerated of these charges” and should be “presumed innocent until proven otherwise — not tried in the court of public opinion.”3Idaho Statesman. Idaho Murder Suspect Bryan Kohberger Extradition
Who the Statement Came From
The written statement was issued on behalf of Bryan Kohberger’s parents and two sisters. His parents, Michael Kohberger Jr. and Maryann Kohberger, both worked for the Pleasant Valley School District in Pennsylvania. Michael was a maintenance worker and Maryann was a paraprofessional for special-needs students.4New York Post. What We Know About Idaho Suspect Bryan Kohberger’s Parents Bryan has two older sisters, Amanda and Melissa, who goes by Mel. Mel works as a mental health counselor in New Jersey.5People. All About Bryan Kohberger’s Family
One detail from the family’s background took on added weight after the January 2023 statement. Maryann Kohberger had previously published op-eds opposing the death penalty, a position that drew attention when Idaho prosecutors announced in June 2023 that they would seek capital punishment against her son.6CBS News. Idaho Student Murders Bryan Kohberger Timeline
Silence Through the Case
After the January 2023 statement, the family issued no further public remarks as the case moved through pretrial proceedings. They did not speak when prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty. They did not speak when Kohberger accepted a plea deal on June 30, 2025, pleading guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in exchange for four consecutive life sentences without parole.7Idaho Courts. Plea Agreement, Case No. CR01-24-31665
The Family at Sentencing
Kohberger was sentenced by District Judge Steven Hippler at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise on July 23, 2025. Maryann and Amanda Kohberger were the only family members present. Mel did not attend, later saying she stayed on the East Coast to care for their father, who was experiencing heart issues.8East Idaho News. Bryan Kohberger’s Sister Breaks Silence in NYT Report
Neither Maryann nor Amanda spoke in court. Maryann was visibly emotional, shuddering and putting her head in her hands during victim impact statements. She wiped away tears when Xana Kernodle’s uncle spoke about the family name being “tainted,” and sobbed when Madison Mogen’s grandmother, Kim Cheeley, said her “heart aches” for the perpetrator’s family too. Amanda remained stone-faced throughout. When Kohberger was given the chance to address the court, he said only, “I respectfully decline.”9CNN. Family Impact Statements at Idaho Murders Sentencing As he was led from the courtroom in handcuffs, he ignored both his mother and sister. Defense attorney Anne Taylor escorted the two women out.10New York Post. Bryan Kohberger Ignored His Sobbing Mom, Sister After Being Sentenced to Life Earlier in the hearing, during a brief recess, Kohberger had been seen smiling and nodding at his mother.11People. Bryan Kohberger Ignores Family at Sentencing
Mel Kohberger’s January 2026 Interview
In January 2026, more than three years after the written statement and six months after sentencing, Mel Kohberger gave an extended interview to the New York Times. It stands as the family’s most detailed public account of the ordeal.
Mel called the experience “confusing” and “painful,” saying, “It’s like being victimized but not really being a victim.” She said the family does not discuss the murders among themselves and that she had always advocated for “what was right,” adding, “If I ever had a reason to believe my brother did anything, I would have turned him in.”8East Idaho News. Bryan Kohberger’s Sister Breaks Silence in NYT Report She described her brother as “not a violent person,” citing an argument between the two in which, she said, he “held back her arms” rather than escalating.12Yahoo News. Bryan Kohberger’s Sister Speaks
She also described private grief for the victims. Mel told the Times she keeps annual reminders in her phone for each victim’s birthday and that her mother prays for the victims’ families every day.13NewsNation. Bryan Kohberger’s Heroin Addiction and Sister’s Comments She spoke about Bryan’s past, saying he had been bullied for his weight as a teenager and “spiraled into heroin addiction,” at one point stealing and selling her phone to buy drugs. Their parents called the police. The family feared he was on a “path to an early death,” but he eventually completed treatment, studied psychology at DeSales University, and was accepted into a Ph.D. program at Washington State University. “We were all so proud of him because he had overcome so much,” she said.14People. All About Bryan Kohberger’s Sister Mel Kohberger
Mel also described how the arrest derailed her own career. She had been training for a mental health counselor position in New Jersey but agreed to abandon it after her new employer was “flooded with inquiries.”15New York Times. Idaho Murders Bryan Kohberger Family She recounted that before the arrest she had warned her brother to be careful while he lived near the crime scene: “Bryan, you are running outside and this psycho killer is on the loose. Be careful.” He thanked her and said he would stay safe.
She said the family stays in regular contact with Bryan in prison but avoids discussing the case. For a recent birthday behind bars, Bryan asked the family to bake a cake to Mel’s tastes and have her blow out the candles.8East Idaho News. Bryan Kohberger’s Sister Breaks Silence in NYT Report
Reaction to Mel’s Comments
Mel’s interview drew criticism. Journalist Howard Blum said she appeared to be trying to “put a good gloss on things” and questioned her transparency, arguing it was “incomprehensible to believe” she had not connected her brother to the crimes given his proximity to the victims’ home and the fact that he drove a white Hyundai Elantra matching the vehicle police were seeking.12Yahoo News. Bryan Kohberger’s Sister Speaks The family itself has issued no further statements since Mel’s interview.