UPDATE: In a shocking ruling, Bryan Kohberger has been ordered to pay an additional $3,000 to the families of his victims on the third anniversary of the tragic University of Idaho murders. The decision, issued by Judge Steven Hippler on November 13, 2025, requires Kohberger to cover the cost of urns for Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, two of the four students he murdered.
Judge Hippler dismissed Kohberger’s claims of financial hardship due to his life sentence, revealing that the convicted killer received an astonishing $28,360.96 in donations while incarcerated. Much of this sum reportedly came from his own family to facilitate communication with him during his time in jail.
“He has received nearly enough through donations to cover the amount of restitution already ordered,” Judge Hippler stated. “It is foreseeable he will continue to receive donations in the future.”
The ruling comes amid growing scrutiny over Kohberger’s financial obligations, as the court emphasized that he could potentially earn money through prison employment or future media contracts. Judge Hippler noted that Kohberger’s limited needs in prison mean he could accumulate funds to meet his restitution obligations.
Kohberger, 30, has been ordered to pay $1,587.79 to Mogen’s mother, Karen Laramie, and $1,420 to the Goncalves family, with interest accruing at 9.125 percent annually. This ruling adds to his previous financial penalties, including a $251,227.50 fine to the state and $28,956.88 in restitution to the families of Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
While Kohberger’s attorney, Elissa Massoth, argued that he could not profit from his story due to Idaho’s “Son of Sam” law, Judge Hippler indicated that there remains a possibility for Kohberger to earn from media contracts in the future, which would not be accessible for restitution payments.
The court’s decision highlights the ongoing impact of Kohberger’s actions, especially on this poignant anniversary. Families of the victims paid tribute to their loved ones, sharing memories on social media and participating in memorial events. Members of the local community are set to hold a vigil at the Memorial Garden in Moscow, Idaho, to honor the four students whose lives were tragically cut short.
This legal development underscores the continuing repercussions of the November 13, 2022, murders that devastated a close-knit college community. Kohberger, who lived just ten minutes away from the crime scene, was arrested approximately six weeks later at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania, linked to the crime through forensic evidence.
As the case evolves, the families continue to seek closure while grappling with the emotional toll of their losses. Kohberger, now serving his life sentence, remains silent about his motives, adding to the anguish of the victims’ families.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the legal and emotional ramifications unfold.
