On the third anniversary of the Nov. 13, 2022 killings of four University of Idaho students, an Ada County judge ruled that convicted killer Bryan Kohberger must pay for the urns for two of the victims as part of his restitution obligations. Kohberger, who pleaded guilty over the summer, is serving four consecutive life sentences plus a 10-year term for burglary. The judge said the $3,075.58 cost for the two urns falls within funeral expenses Kohberger already agreed to cover under the plea deal. The decision accompanies other court-ordered financial penalties and has prompted public remembrance across the university and state.
Key takeaways
- Cost of two urns: $3,075.58, ordered paid by Kohberger as funeral-related restitution.
- Criminal fines and fees: $251,227.50 assessed against Kohberger by the court.
- Civil judgments: $20,000 awarded to each victim’s family under separate civil orders.
- Additional restitution: $31,964.67 ordered for the families of Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
- Sentence: Kohberger received four consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder and 10 years for a burglary count after a summer plea agreement.
- Judge: District Judge Steven Hippler ruled the urns are covered by the plea agreement and represent a minimal additional financial burden.
- Public response: On the anniversary, the University of Idaho and state leaders posted tributes remembering the four students.
Background
On Nov. 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students—Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20—were fatally stabbed at an off-campus residence near Moscow, Idaho. The killings prompted a prolonged criminal investigation that culminated in charges against Bryan Kohberger and a high-profile prosecution. This summer Kohberger accepted a plea agreement that removed the need for a jury trial and resulted in multiple life terms plus additional prison time for related counts.
The plea deal included financial restitution provisions to compensate families for funeral and related expenses. Over the past three years the community organized memorials and vigils; the university law enforcement response and campus safety measures were also scrutinized in the wake of the deaths. Families pursued civil remedies alongside criminal prosecution to seek damages and formal recognition of losses.
Main event
On the anniversary of the slayings, an Ada County judge considered whether the cost of urns for two victims should be separately included in Kohberger’s restitution obligations. Kohberger’s defense argued he should not be ordered to pay additional expenses because he is incarcerated for life and has limited earning capacity. The defense also noted the defendant would have restricted opportunities to generate income to satisfy new or added debts.
Judge Steven Hippler rejected that argument, writing that the urns qualify as funeral expenses already contemplated by the plea agreement. Hippler characterized the $3,075.58 total as a “minimal additional burden” on the defendant’s financial obligations and noted Kohberger had already received donations covering the restitution he agreed to pay. The judge also cited the prospect of future donations and prison employment as possible sources to cover the urn cost.
The order sits alongside other court-issued financial obligations: $251,227.50 in criminal fines and fees, $20,000 civil judgments to each family, and $31,964.67 in restitution for the families of Kernodle and Chapin. Defense counsel did not immediately respond to media requests for comment about the ruling. Meanwhile, the campus and state officials commemorated the anniversary with tributes and statements of support for the victims’ families.
Analysis & implications
The judge’s decision underscores how plea agreements can lock in broad categories of financial responsibility that extend beyond direct criminal penalties. By framing the urns as funeral costs already covered by the plea, the court preserved the families’ ability to recover specific end-of-life expenses without reopening the plea terms. That sets a practical precedent for how courts may treat closely related ancillary costs in future restitution disputes.
Financially, the added $3,075.58 is modest relative to the larger fines and civil judgments but symbolically significant for the families involved. The ruling reflects judicial balancing: enforcing victims’ restitution rights while recognizing the defendant’s incarcerated status. The judge’s point about donations and limited prison wages points to the reality that some restitution is effectively funded by third parties rather than the defendant’s post-conviction earnings.
From a policy perspective, the case highlights tensions in the criminal restitution system: courts aim to make victims whole, yet practical collection mechanisms for incarcerated defendants are constrained. Prison wages are typically low, collections from inmate accounts are limited, and donations can be unpredictable. Legislatures and advocacy groups may use cases like this to argue for clearer statutory guidance on what funeral-related costs are compensable and how they should be collected.
Comparison & data
| Item | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Urns for Goncalves & Mogen | $3,075.58 |
| Criminal fines and fees | $251,227.50 |
| Civil judgment (per family) | $20,000 |
| Restitution to Kernodle & Chapin families | $31,964.67 |
The table above summarizes the court-ordered financial amounts tied to the case. While the urn cost is comparatively small, it is now explicitly listed under the restitution umbrella. Collectively, the monetary obligations reflect both punitive and compensatory aims: fines and fees punish wrongdoing, while civil judgments and restitution aim to address victims’ losses.
Reactions & quotes
University of Idaho officials and community members used the anniversary to memorialize the students and to reaffirm support for grieving families. The campus posted an image slideshow and messages commemorating the four victims, an act that underlined continuing public attention to the case and the families’ loss.
“Forever in our hearts.”
University of Idaho (Instagram post)
The governor’s office issued a public message noting the killings’ effect on the state and offering condolences. Such statements reflect both political leaders’ roles in public mourning and the broader civic response to violent crimes that draw statewide attention.
“The students’ slayings shook our state to its core. Idahoans continue to offer our love and support to the families and many, many loved ones of these four beautiful souls.”
Idaho Gov. Brad Little (social post)
Legal observers noted the judge’s emphasis on the plea agreement language and the judicial willingness to enforce ancillary restitution items. Defense advocates reiterated concerns about the enforceability of minor financial orders against defendants serving life sentences.
Unconfirmed
- Whether existing donations already held will be specifically earmarked to cover the $3,075.58 urn expense remains unconfirmed.
- The exact amount of future donations identified by the judge as potential sources to satisfy the urn cost has not been documented publicly.
- Details about any prison employment offer or expected wages available to Kohberger to satisfy restitution were not independently verified.
Bottom line
The court’s order that Bryan Kohberger pay $3,075.58 for two urns underscores how plea agreements and restitution provisions can extend to seemingly small but personally meaningful funeral expenses. Although the amount is modest relative to the overall fines and judgments, the ruling upholds families’ pursuit of compensation tied to their losses and clarifies the court’s interpretation of the plea terms.
Practical collection of such sums from a defendant serving life remains uncertain; the judge cited donations and limited prison wages as likely sources. The decision is likely to be cited in future restitution disputes as courts and litigants navigate the boundary between enforceable funeral-related costs and the real-world constraints of collecting money from incarcerated individuals.
Sources
- NBC News (national news report summarizing court ruling and public responses)
- University of Idaho Instagram (official university post and campus memorial images)
- Office of Idaho Governor Brad Little (social media) (public condolence statement)