The chilling selfie taken by Bryan Kohberger, giving a thumbs up just hours after allegedly murdering four University of Idaho students, has been described as a sick “trophy” by the father of one of the victims. Steve Goncalves, whose daughter Kaylee Goncalves was among the victims, believes that Kohberger took the photo as a symbol of his perceived success in getting away with the gruesome murders.
In an interview on “Fox and Friends,” Goncalves expressed his thoughts on the disturbing photo, stating that he sees it as Kohberger making himself a trophy for the killings. He mentioned that Kohberger had returned to the crime scene before taking the selfie, possibly realizing that no one had called 911 and that the victims were still asleep. This twisted act of taking a selfie as a memento of the crime showcases the cold and callous nature of the alleged killer.
The photo, taken at 10:30 a.m. on November 13, 2022, shows Kohberger standing in front of a shower with a chilling half-smile and a thumbs-up gesture. The timeline of events suggests that the students were killed between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m., with Kohberger allegedly returning to the scene around 9 a.m. Investigators believe that Kohberger left his apartment in Pullman, Washington, and drove back to the scene in Moscow, Idaho, based on cellphone data.
The victims, including Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, were discovered dead in their beds by their roommates around noon that day. Prosecutors are relying on interviews with the two surviving roommates to build their case against Kohberger. One of the roommates reported seeing a 6-foot-tall white masked man with bushy eyebrows leaving the house in the early hours of November 13.
The use of the selfie as evidence in the case has been contested by Kohberger’s defense attorneys, who have requested the court to refrain from using certain terms like “bushy eyebrows,” “murderer,” and “murder weapon.” However, Latah County prosecutors argue that the photo reveals Kohberger’s entire face around the time of the slayings and could be crucial in securing a conviction.
The heinous nature of the crimes and the disturbing behavior exhibited by the accused killer have shocked the community and left the families of the victims grappling with grief and disbelief. As the legal proceedings unfold, the quest for justice for the slain students continues, with the hope that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
