Parents of Idaho murder victim Kaylee Goncalves 'hope' she snatched knife ... trends now
Kaylee Goncalves' parents say they take some comfort in the hope that their daughter's will to fight her killer was possibly what helped lead police to a suspect.
Kaylee, 21, and her friend Maddie Mogen, were among four University of Idaho students stabbed to death at their home in Moscow, Idaho on November 13.
A sheath that fit the KA-BAR knife believed used in the brutal slayings, was found beside their bodies, according to an affidavit released last week.
DNA found on the sheath linked Bryan Kohberger, 38, to the crime scene and he was arrested after more than a month following the murders.
Steve and Kristi Goncalves told Dateline NBC in a recent interview that the new details that seemed to paint a clearer picture of their daughter's final moments, gave them hope that through the struggle, she played some hand in solving her own murder by snatching the all-important sheath from her assailant.
On Thursday, Kohberger appeared briefly in court where a preliminary hearing was set for June 26.
Dateline NBC will air an all-new two-hour special this Friday at 9 ET/8pm CT on the latest in the investigation into the murders of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.
Kaylee Goncalves' parents say they take some comfort in the hope that their daughter's will to put up a fight against her killer was possibly what helped lead police to the arrest of a suspect
Goncalves was found stabbed to death on November 13, along with her roommates Maddie Mogen, 21, top left, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20
Kristi Goncalves told Dateline's Keith Morrison that when she read the new details, she felt that her daughter did everything she could to fight back.
'I just... I just said, "Can you believe that?" And I said, "I hope thta maybe a struggle, she pulled it off him, in the struggle or whatever...'
Kaylee's father Steve was teary eyed as he interjected: 'Yeah, it's a checkmate type moment. And our girls were a part of it.'
The heartbroken parents who have been outspoken throughout the investigation, made a point of driving the 100 miles from their home to sit in court behind the man they believed killed their daughter.
Kristi Goncalves told Morrison what it was like to sit in court and watch the accused killer.
'He looked scared, as he should be,' she said. If he is indeed the person, I feel that no mercy should be given to him.'
Kristi Goncalves told Morrison what it was like to sit in court and watch the accused killer
Kaylee's father Steve was teary eyed as he interjected: 'Yeah, it's a checkmate type moment. And our girls were a part of it'
DNA found on the sheath linked Bryan Kohberger, 38, to the crime scene and he was arrested after more than a month following the murders
The 28-year-old Washington State University graduate student charged in the grisly murders waived his right to a speedy trial and was held without bail.
As he took his seat, scratches along the left side of his chin were clearly visible. It's unclear how he sustained the scratches.
A deputy from the Latah County Jail told DailyMail.com that the cuts were 'accidental', and that Kohberger inflicted them on himself.
He requested the gap in court proceedings - waiving his right to a timely hearing - to allow his attorneys more time to learn
