Kaylee Goncalves’ Sister Alivea Says She Was ‘Prepared to Be Arrested’ After Statement at Bryan Kohberger’s Sentencing

Alivea Goncalves says she was fully ready to face arrest after delivering a searing victim impact statement aimed directly at Bryan Kohberger, the man convicted of murdering her sister Kaylee and three other University of Idaho students.

Appearing on Good Morning America Monday, Alivea opened up about her emotional speech at Kohberger’s sentencing on July 23, saying she had “one shot” to speak her truth — and wasn’t going to hold back.

“I was prepared to be arrested that day,” Alivea said, noting that she and others felt the same. “I had one shot at it, and I was going to make the most of it.”

Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for the 2022 killings of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Maddie Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. Alivea, speaking directly to the convicted killer in court, did not mince words.

“You want the truth? Here’s the one you’ll hate the most,” she said to Kohberger. “If you hadn’t attacked them in their sleep, in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your f—— ass.”

Reflecting on the moment, Alivea said she was “fueled by the rage on his face” during her speech. “Man, was he mad,” she added. “That was obviously a big point of why I did what I did — to make him feel small. Because he is.”

Alivea revealed she had memorized her remarks so she could maintain eye contact with Kohberger throughout. Her intention wasn’t just to honor her sister and Maddie — it was to confront the man responsible.

“It actually makes me really emotional,” she said. “I got up there knowing my speech wasn’t to Kaylee and Maddie — it was for them.”

In the lead-up to sentencing, Alivea did extensive research on Kohberger to prepare. “I stalked the stalker,” she said. “I found everything that I could online… It fueled me to know that I got you pegged.”

According to police reports and interviews, Kaylee had voiced concerns about being followed prior to the attack. Dylan Mortensen, a surviving roommate, told authorities Kaylee had mentioned being watched and seeing shadows while walking her dog.

Alivea also used her statement to reflect on what made her sister and Maddie so special — and what she believes Kohberger lacked.

“They were everything that you could never be — loved, accepted, vibrant, accomplished, brave, and powerful,” she told him. “You aren’t profound — you’re pathetic.”

In a separate interview with NewsNation, Alivea described the chilling moment of confronting Kohberger in court. “It was like being face to face with an alien,” she said. “I’m not intimidated by him, but… there’s a primal sense of alarm. Like my body was saying, ‘Run. Get out. This is a threat.’”

Alivea’s words have since resonated across social media, with many praising her strength in the face of unimaginable grief.

“She did what so many wished they could,” one commenter wrote. “She spoke not just for her sister — but for all of them.”