UPDATE: In a stunning court ruling on the third anniversary of the University of Idaho murders, Bryan Kohberger has been ordered to pay an additional $3,000 to the families of his victims, highlighting the ongoing impact of his crimes. The decision, made by Judge Steven Hippler on November 13, 2025, mandates Kohberger to cover the costs of urns for Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, underscoring the financial and emotional toll inflicted on the victims’ families.
Judge Hippler dismissed Kohberger’s claims of financial hardship, revealing that he amassed a shocking $28,360.96 in donations while incarcerated in Latah County and Ada County jails. Much of this money, according to court documents, was funded by his family to maintain communication with him, leading the judge to assert, “He has received nearly enough through donations to cover the amount of restitution already ordered.”
This latest ruling compounds Kohberger’s already significant financial obligations, which include $251,227.50 in criminal fines, a $20,000 civil judgment for each victim’s family, and $28,956.88 in restitution to other victims’ families. The court’s decision comes as families and friends of the victims take to social media, marking the heartbreaking anniversary with tributes and memorials.
“There’s nothing quite like having a sister. You are forever loved and missed, Xana Alexia Kernodle,” posted Jazzmin Kernodle in memory of her sister. The emotional weight of this ruling resonates deeply as the community reflects on the lives lost and the ongoing grief experienced by the victims’ families.
While Kohberger’s attorney, Elissa Massoth, argued against the possibility of Kohberger profiting from his crimes due to Idaho’s “Son of Sam” law, Judge Hippler noted that future media earnings could still occur, leaving the door open for financial gain that may evade restitution obligations to the victims’ families.
The ruling has intensified discussions around the ethics of profiting from such tragedies, with Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson advocating for victims’ rights to any money Kohberger might earn from future media projects.
As Kohberger serves his life sentence in Idaho’s maximum-security prison, the focus now shifts to how he will navigate these financial penalties while the families continue to seek justice and healing.
The anniversary of these tragic events is marked not only by court rulings but also by community memorials, including a vigil held by members of Greek life in Moscow, Idaho, where the four young victims were pursuing their studies and dreams.
With the emotional scars still fresh, the families of Mogen and Goncalves are left to remember their loved ones, as the legal battles continue to unfold. This ruling serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of Kohberger’s actions, as the victims’ families strive to find closure in a senseless tragedy.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
