The mother of one of the four slain University of Idaho students, killed by Bryan Kohberger, has expressed forgiveness towards their daughter’s murderer, drawing from her own time in incarceration.
Xana Kernodle was killed alongside her boyfriend Ethan Chapin and friends Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen back in November 2022.
In July, Kohberger, now aged 30, admitted guilt for the killings and received a sentence of four consecutive life terms, with no chance for parole or appeal.
Almost three years following the tragic event, Xana’s mother, Cara Kernodle, shared at a church gathering on Saturday that she has forgiven Kohberger, according to a report from the Coeur d’Alene Press.
‘I don’t hate Bryan Kohberger,’ she reportedly said at the Journey of Forgiveness event at Altar Church.
The The Spokesman-Review reported that Cara conveyed forgiveness to Kohberger, stating she is moving on and will no longer dwell on him.
Cara revealed that she was incarcerated when her daughter was killed, and after struggling with a 30-year drug addiction, she embraced faith during the ten months she spent in jail.
‘I was deeply committed and eager for the word of God,’ she noted, attributing her recovery from addiction to the support of the Altar’s Good Samaritan Rehabilitation program.
The mother of Xana Kernodle (pictured) revealed she has forgiven her daughter’s murderer after spending time behind bars herself
Bryan Kohberger (pictured), 30, pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole or appeal
Xana’s mother, Cara Kernodle (pictured), confessed at church event on Saturday that she doesn’t ‘hate Bryan Kohberger’
‘The Lord just had me surrender it all,’ she said of drugs. ‘And I did, and I haven’t gone back.’
Cara had previously told the Daily Mail she fell into a dark place after her daughter’s death, struggling to stay sober as she fought her battle with addiction, which resulted in her incarceration.
‘It’s a living nightmare,’ she said. ‘I relapsed after my daughter’s killing. Then four days after that, I got picked up on new charges.’
At night, she said, she can barely sleep as she replays the massacre in her mind and wrestles with personal demons.
Cara was released from custody in late 2024, according to court documents, and will remain on probation until late 2027.
Prior to Kohberger taking a plea deal, Cara’s friends had launched a GoFundMe to help support her while she attended the trial.
She spoke during his sentencing hearing on July 23, and said she would not speak about good memories of Xana because she did not want Kohberger to hear them.
Instead, she told the killer that she prays for him and hopes that one day he will let God into his heart.
Cara explained that she was in jail when her daughter was murdered, and after battling with drug addiction for 30 years, she turned to religion as she processed her daughter’s death
Cara (right) spoke during his sentencing hearing on July 23, and said she would not speak about good memories of Xana because she did not want Kohberger to hear them
Xana Kernodle was killed alongside her boyfriend Ethan Chapin and friends Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen back in November 2022
Kohberger refuses to share any details about his crimes and his recently released handwritten guilty plea document claims he was diagnosed with four mental health disorders.
During his sentencing – where he was confronted by the families of his victims – the killer was given the opportunity to address the court.
‘I respectfully decline,’ he responded blankly.
