BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Friends and relatives of four University of Idaho students murdered in their rental home by Bryan Kohberger delivered powerful statements of love, anguish and condemnation before he was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“This world was a better place with her in it,” Scott Laramie, the stepfather of Madison Mogen, told the court. ”Karen and I are ordinary people, but we lived extraordinary lives because we had Maddie.”

The father of Kaylee Goncalves taunted Kohberger for leaving his DNA behind and getting caught despite being a graduate student in criminology at nearby Washington State University at the time.

“You were that careless, that foolish, that stupid,” Steve Goncalves said. “Master’s degree? You’re a joke.”

Judge Steven Hippler ordered Kohberger to serve four life sentences without parole for four counts of first-degree murder in the brutal stabbing deaths of Mogen, Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin early on Nov. 13, 2022. He was also given a 10-year sentence for burglary and assessed $270,000 in fines and civil penalties.

The defendant pleaded guilty early this month, just weeks before his trial was to start, in a deal to avoid the death penalty.

Kohberger broke into the home through a kitchen sliding door and brutally stabbed the four friends, who appeared to have no connection with him. No motive has been offered, and Kohberger chose not to speak at the hearing.

Dylan Mortenson, a roommate who told police of seeing a strange man with bushy eyebrows and a ski mask in the home that night, sobbed as she described how Kohberger, seated across the room in an orange jumpsuit, “took the light they carried into each room.”

“He is a hollow vessel, something less than human,” Mortenson said. “A body without empathy without remorse.”

Mortenson and another surviving roommate, Bethany Funke, described crippling panic attacks and anxiety after the attack.

“I slept in my parents’ room for almost a year, and had them double lock every door, set an alarm, and still check everywhere in the room just in case someone was hiding,” Funke wrote in a statement read by a friend. “I have not slept through a single night since this happened. I constantly wake up in panic, terrified someone is breaking in or someone is here to hurt me, or I’m about to lose someone else that I love.”

Alivea Goncalves’s voice didn’t waver as she asked Kohberger questions about the killings, including what her sister’s last words were. She drew applause after belittling Kohberger, who remained expressionless as she insulted him.

“You didn’t win, you just exposed yourself as the coward you are,” Alivea Goncalves said. “You’re a delusional, pathetic, hypochondriac loser.”

Kohberger’s mother and sister also attended the hearing, sitting in the gallery near the defense table. His mother quietly wept at times as the other parents described their grief. She sobbed briefly when Maddie Mogen’s grandmother said that her heart goes out to the other families, including Kohberger’s.

Xana Kernodle’s aunt, Kim Kernodle, said she forgave Kohberger and asked him to call her from prison, hoping he would answer her lingering questions about the killings.

“Bryan, I’m here today to tell you I have forgiven you, because I no longer could live with that hate in my heart,” she said. “And for me to become a better person, I have forgiven you. And any time you want to talk and tell me what happened, get my number. I’m here. No judgment.”

Police initially had no suspects in the killings, which terrified the rural western Idaho city of Moscow. Some students at both universities left mid-semester, taking the rest of their classes online because they felt unsafe.

A knife sheath left near Mogen’s body had a single source of male DNA on the button snap, investigators said, and surveillance videos showed a white Hyundai Elantra near the rental home around the time of the murders.

Police used genetic genealogy to identify Kohberger as a possible suspect and accessed cellphone data to pinpoint his movements the night of the killings. Online shopping records showed Kohberger had purchased a military-style knife months earlier, along with a sheath like the one at the home.

Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania about six weeks after the killings.

Both the investigation and the case drew widespread attention. Discussion groups proliferated online, members eagerly sharing their theories and questions about the case. Some armchair web-sleuths pointed fingers at innocent people simply because they knew the victims or lived in the same town. Misinformation spread, piling additional distress on the already-traumatized community.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — One of Indianapolis’ most celebrated music events is marking a major milestone. Chreece, the city’s only all-day hip hop festival, returns to Fountain Square in August for its 10th anniversary, and organizers say this year will be bigger than ever.

It’s a milestone year for the festival, which started in 2015. “It’s crazy,” Oreo Jones, founder of Chreece, said. “We got over 70 artists, right here, grown right here in the city.”

The festival is Saturday, Aug. 23, and features performances across seven venues. Jones says the event has always been rooted in highlighting homegrown talent while giving up-and-coming performers a platform.

“We have the Last Shot program, folks that are trying to cut their teeth,” he said. “The Nationals this year are crazy. We got Smino headlining. Audrey Nuna, who’s blowing up on the K-Pop Demon show on Netflix.”

Jones says the festival’s evolution reflects the diverse sounds and stories of Indy’s neighborhoods.

“I think it’s just a testament to the city and how it sounds different all around, different corners of the city and different artists,” he said. “The times are changing, and I think it’s a beautiful evolution of how the sound is here.”

Beyond music, Chreece will include DJs, dancers, vendor villages, games and family-friendly acitivities spread throughout Fountain Square.

“We got something for everyone,” Jones said. “We got games, we got free activities, even for folks that are just trying to see what it’s all about.”

General admission tickets are $55 and include access to all venues and activations throughout the day.

“You go in, get your ticket, and you get access to seven different venues,” Jones said. “Everything’s accessible. You get all access.”

From rooftop views to local street performances, Jones says Chreece is more than a music festival, it’s a celebration of the community.

“It’s your city. You should enjoy it how you want to,” he said.

Tickets are available now. For more information on performers, venue schedules, and VIP options, click here.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Advocates for recreational therapy are hosting a meeting about proposed changes to Medicaid coverage.

Recreational therapy often uses activities like art, music, hiking, and other pastimes to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is considering a cap on Medicaid-funded recreational therapy to 6 hours a month.

On June 18, FSSA’s Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services proposed the changes during an Advisory Council meeting.

My Voice My RT is a group of recreational therapists that formed after the cap was proposed.

They are hosting a series of town halls to go over the potential changes to coverage. The group also wants people to know about a public comment period that is open through Aug. 8.

Recreational Therapy Director for FLOW Recreation, Tyler Neimeyer, says the goal is to collaborate with other advocates.

“[We want to] give people who often don’t have a voice a platform from which to amplify their voice,” Neimeyer said. “That’s kind of the reason behind the title of My Voice My RT. We want an opportunity for people, who don’t often get the opportunity to speak, to speak,”

According to the discussion at the Advisory Council meeting, the state agency has seen an increase in recreational therapy usage throughout the state.

Meanwhile, My Voice My RT cites a survey that says clients at the state’s four largest providers use on average 13.8 hours of recreational therapy per month.

According to Neimeyer, the services are crucial, especially for people living with developmental disabilities who often struggle with isolation and getting enough exercise.

“Recreational therapy is not just a therapeutic service,” he said. “It’s a preventative service. It’s based in public health. So often, what people don’t see is that what we’re actually doing is we’re providing preventative measures.”

My Voice My RT already held a meeting in Fort Wayne on July 17. The next meeting will be at Frediens Church of Christ in Indianapolis from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Public comments can be sent to DDRSWaiverNoticeComment@fssa.in.gov.

FSSA did not respond to News 8’s request for comment.

Upcoming My Voice My RT Town Halls

• Wednesday, July 23, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Indianapolis, Frediens Church of Christ.
• Thursday, July 24, 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Fishers, Hamilton East Public Library.
• Tuesday, Aug. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Crown Point, Crown Point Library.

LAWRENCE, Ind. (WISH) — Indianapolis’ postmaster on Wednesday said she hopes the service’s next 250 years are just as good as the first.

This week marks 250 years since the Second Continental Congress authorized the forerunner of today’s United States Postal Service. Indianapolis Postmaster Andrea Dallas met with postal workers at their morning meeting to hand out commemorative pins. Dallas, herself a former letter carrier, said it’s an honor to be part of the service’s own semiquincentennial. She said the service is a lifeline for Americans because it delivers to every single home every day.

Dallas served in the U.S. Army before joining USPS, including a deployment for Operation Desert Storm. She said getting letters and packages from home was always a highlight.

“When you think about all the different wars and the conflicts that we’ve served in, how vital that was, how we had to bring the mail to different areas,” she said.

Dallas said individual post offices are holding celebrations throughout the year.

July 26 is the exact anniversary of the postal service’s founding. Benjamin Franklin served as the nation’s first postmaster general, having previously served in that capacity under royal authority between 1753 and 1774. Franklin held the position under Congressional authority until the fall of 1776, when he became ambassador to France.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Brickyard 400 races into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, starting on Thursday with the NASCAR Hauler Parade.

Doug Boles, president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR, says the parade will be the perfect chance to get out with the family.

“It’s a great opportunity to get the family out, just walk up and down Main Street, restaurants, bars, all that’s open,” he said.

The Hauler Parade is on Main Street in Speedway, but the activities don’t stop there. Following the parade, the sprint cars will hit the track for hot laps and races.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever done a sprint car race on our little midget track that we have out there,” Boles added.

With temperatures expected to feel like the triple digits, Boles says fans should stay hydrated and use cooling stations and cooling buses at the track.

“Even drink a beer or two, but you’ve got to make sure you’re drinking those waters.”

The drivers won’t be the only big names on the track.

Cookie Monster from Sesame Street will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Brickyard 400, and then Pacers’ Pascal Siakam will trade in his basketball gear to drive the pace car.

“Having Cookie Monster as our Grand Marshal is pretty exciting, and then Pascal Siakam’s going to come in and drive the pace car. He wants to go to the Indy 500, we don’t want him to,” Boles said. “We want him to keep playing basketball in May, right? So, we don’t need him to come to the Indy 500, (but) getting him in a pace car for the Brickyard 400 is cool.”

Weekend racing events rev up with the Pennzoil 250 at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and continue Sunday with the titular Brickyard 400 at 2 p.m.

Kids 15 years old and younger get into the track for free. You can buy tickets here on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website.

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edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana is getting $15.1 million of federal money to help Hoosiers recover from the flooding and tornadoes that tore through the state in the spring.

Trump announced the funding approval in a Truth Social post Tuesday morning.

He took to the media platform saying, “I know the state, under the leadership of Mike Braun, will make a rapid recovery.”

Gov. Mike Braun and several other Indiana lawmakers shared their thanks on X. Braun responded: “These funds will enable Hoosier communities to recover and rebuild stronger than ever.”

Braun declared a state of emergency for 35 counties in the aftermath of April’s severe floods, storms, and tornadoes. Those counties included much of southern and central Indiana, and seven counties in northern Indiana along the Indiana-Michigan border.

The funding comes just a week after Braun announced the launch of an Emergency Alert Task Force dedicated to improving the weather and emergency alert systems across the state.

According to the announcement, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Integrated Public Safety Commission will lead the task force. This team will consider input from town, city, and county-level fire and law enforcement leaders.

Braun’s plan also calls for the Indiana Geographic Information Office, the National Weather Service, and cell network carriers to advise the panel.

So far, there is no word on the specific areas that are in line for improvements, but failures in spring tornado siren tests and longstanding concerns about how and when to use such sirens would likely make them a key area of emphasis.

As of mid-June, 57 tornadoes have hit Indiana. Twenty of those tornadoes touched down during the April 2 storms. It wasn’t clear how much the storm damage cost.

News 8’s Scott Sander contributed to this report.

Related storm damage coverage

• Disaster emergency declared for 35 Indiana counties due to severe weather
• Gov. Braun appoints new task force to tackle emergency alert worries
• Severe storms, possible tornadoes leave 1 dead, 6 injured, and at least 75 homes damaged
• PHOTOS | Indiana wakes up to severe storm damage – 04/03/25
• Storm, tornado damages 20 homes in Hendricks County
• PHOTOS | Severe storm/tornado damage in Indiana – 4/2/2025

MONON, Ind. (WISH) — A small town gathered to help a local business in their time of need, when a fire ripped through and destroyed a meat packing facility.

Monday at 5:37 p.m. in Monon, Indiana — a town 31 miles north of Lafayette with a population of just under 2,000 — a thick plume of smoke consumed the back of the Monon Meat Packing and Catering building at 402 North Railroad Street, the Monon Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post.

Firefighters worked seven hours through the night to put the flames out. The department says 13 different fire departments from three counties responded to the fire, but they weren’t the only ones to help.

Over 100 people showed up for the fire, with many bringing refreshments to the firefighters and volunteers.

“We would also like to thank all the people who brought drinks and food up to all the volunteers. This was appreciated by all. We may have missed some people who helped but just know we are very thankful for everything,” the Monon Volunteer Fire Department wrote.

“We are so grateful to live in a community that comes together during these times!” Monon Meat Packing and Catering wrote in a social media statement. “As of now, we have no answers. Please just continue to pray for everyone as we try to navigate what’s next and for all of the employees and families affected by this tragedy!”

News 8 reached out to Monon Meat Packing and Catering to learn how many employees are affected by the fire, but has not gotten a reply as of publishing this article.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hot & humid summer air returns to our area. A heat advisory is in effect for western Indiana for Wednesday.

TODAY: Lots of sunshine for this Wednesday afternoon. Western Indiana will have the best chance at seeing heat index values in the triple digits. Dew points have been alright to start the day, but become more muggy by the evening. High temperatures in the low 90s.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear skies and more muggy compared to prior nights. Low temperatures in the low 70s.

TOMORROW: All of central Indiana is included in the heat advisory for Thursday. Heat index values near 105 are possible. High temperatures in the low to mid-90s. Isolated showers and storms are possible in the PM hours, but many will remain dry. Severe weather is not expected.

7-DAY FORECAST: Better rain chances enter our area Friday & Saturday. A slow moving front brings in multiple rounds of showers and storms as most of central Indiana remains hot & humid. For those looking ahead to the Brickyard 400, there is still a small chance of rain, but it is lower than Saturday.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As the back-to-school season approaches, Deandrea Beaven from Indianapolis Moms offers advice on managing the associated stress.

Beaven emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks such as schedules and doctor’s appointments while advising parents to avoid unnecessary pressures like making elaborate lunches.

“You have to learn to say no because everything becomes a priority when school starts,” Beaven said.

Beaven suggests that parents should stop comparing themselves to others, especially on social media, and focus on their own family’s needs. She encourages you to enjoy the remaining weeks of summer by spending time outdoors and engaging in fun activities. Beaven also advises parents to be flexible and adapt to the inevitable unpredictability that comes with the school year.

By following Beaven’s advice, you can reduce stress and make the most of the back-to-school transition. “Relax,” she said, “because if you don’t, it doesn’t stop bad things from happening.”

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Fever are returning to the Upside Down with the relaunch of their “Stranger Things” special edition jersey.

The re-release coincides with the upcoming fifth and final season of the hit Netflix series, which is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana.

The Fever first debuted the “Stranger Things”-inspired uniform in 2021, and it quickly became a fan favorite across the league.

The limited-edition jersey — on sale now — features a dark retro design with red and black hues, vintage “Stranger Things” font, Demogorgon claw accents, and “011” on the waistband, referencing the beloved character, Eleven.

“This jersey represents the fierce spirit of our team and the fearless energy of Stranger Things – two forces that never back down,” Fever Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Amber Cox.

Fans can buy the new jersey in adult and youth sizes at the Fever Team Store inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse and online at FeverTeamStore.com.

The special edition “Stranger Things” uniform will make its on-court debut Thursday when the Fever (12-11) host the Las Vegas Aces.

Additional games include:

• July 30 vs. Phoenix
• August 9 vs. Chicago
• August 12 vs. Dallas
• August 26 vs. Seattle
• August 29 at Los Angeles
• September 9 vs. Minnesota

“Stranger Things” Season 5 will be released in three parts, starting with Volume 1 on Nov. 26. Volume 2 arrives on Dec. 25, with The Finale on Dec. 31. Each volume releases at 8 p.m. ET.

Related Coverage

• Liberty overcome slow start, defeat Fever behind Jonquel Jones’ 18 points
• Caitlin Clark’s message on social media after ‘incredible’ All-Star Weekend
• Kelsey Mitchell becomes Fever’s three-point record holder