A suit-clad Brian Kohberger appeared in court Friday over the gag order in the University of Idaho quadruple slay case — the day after the sister of victim Kaylee Goncalves posted a heartbreaking tribute on what would have been her older sibling’s 22nd birthday.
“happy birthday sissy. i love you so so much. i wish i could feel one more hug, see one more smile & hear one more ‘i love you,'” Autumn Goncalves posted on Instagram Thursday.
“You deserved your life more than anyone i know. you worked so hard for everything you had, and you LOVED your life. you appreciated all the little things and that’s a big deal. so many people are so blessed and they don’t appreciate it, but that was never you, you appreciated it all. learning to live without you is the hardest thing i’ve ever had to do. something i should have ever had to do.”
Autumn also paid tribute to the other victims — Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Madison Mogen, 21 — who were all finishing their final year at the state school when they were stabbed to death by accused killer Kohberger in November.
“You should be here with maddie xana & ethan in your home getting ready to celebrate your 22nd birthday,” Autumn wrote.
“i know we will meet again but we should have never had to part like this. i keep positive because i know that’s all you would want. i love you kaylee & i wish i could see the party maddie is throwing for you right about now. i hope it’s the most beautiful birthday you’ve ever had.”
The grieving sister — who has shared many heartwrenching posts about her murdered sister in recent months — lamented how sorely she misses Kaylee’ss smile, laughter and friendship.
The post was accompanied by an undated image of a much-younger Kaylee carrying Autumn and another unidentified young girl, all three of whom were beaming.
Autumn also shared a glimpse into her older sister’s journal, which outlined Kaylee’s future goals before her life was cut short.
“The most important thing for me to realize is that I am setting these goals as a lifestyle change, so no set end date,” Kaylee wrote a list of intentions to grow her relationship with God, to make healthier behavioral choices and to focus on her loved ones.
The journal also included a hefty list of the things and people she values — which included slain roommates Mogen and Kernodle.
The social media post came just one day before a lawyer for the Goncalves family asked the judge to lift a gag order keeping attorneys and other parties from speaking to the media about the case.
Kohberger appeared in court Friday for the arguments to suspend the order, most of which was brought forward by a coalition of more than 30 media organizations claiming it violates the Constitution’s guarantees of free speech and a free press.
The accused quadruple killer wore a black suit, a blue tie and gelled hair for the hearing as his lawyers insisted the gag order prevented prejudicial news coverage that could damage Kohberger’s right to a fair trial.
The judge indicated he would rule late on the gag order and on a separate issue of whether to allow cameras in the courtroom during further proceedings.
With Post wires
