Families of the University of Idaho murder victims file a wrongful death lawsuit against Washington State University following the killings by Bryan Kohberger.

Families of Idaho Students File Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against WSU

The families of four University of Idaho students who were tragically murdered in a 2022 stabbing have initiated a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging that Washington State University (WSU) overlooked multiple warning signs regarding Brian Koberger.

This civil suit, filed in Skagit County Superior Court on January 7, includes plaintiffs such as Steve Gonsalves, the father of Kaylee Gonsalves; Karen Laramie, mother of Madison Mogen; Jeffrey Kernodle, father of Zana Kernodle; and Stacey Chapin, Ethan Chapin’s mother.

The lawsuit claims gross negligence on the part of WSU, wrongful death, and violations of federal education laws like Title IX. The families are seeking unspecified damages, which, according to Robert Clifford, a senior partner at the Clifford Law Firm, is a common tactic in high-stakes legal matters. This approach focuses on facts rather than sensationalism and lets the jury make the critical decisions.

Clifford, not involved in the case, noted, “Ultimately, that’s for the jury to decide and answer. But you have some compelling facts, and liability will depend on the strength of the information the school had.”

Even though Koberger has pleaded guilty to murder, the civil case still holds potential for the families due to a lesser burden of proof required to establish WSU’s liability.

“His guilty plea might not even be relevant since he isn’t a defendant in this civil suit. If he were, that plea would carry more weight, and the university could counters that it’s not to blame, as he admits to his actions,” Clifford explained.

The complaint asserts that WSU employed Koberger as a faculty assistant in the criminal justice and criminology department, providing him with a salary, health benefits, and campus housing.

The families allege that WSU had significant authority regarding Koberger’s behavior yet failed to act despite multiple concerns raised.

The complaint points out that at least 13 formal reports were made against Koberger during the fall 2022 semester, accusing him of threats, harassment, and predatory behavior towards both students and faculty. The plaintiffs argue that the university did not adequately investigate these complaints or take action to remove Koberger before the murders.

WSU also reportedly did not utilize its threat assessment system to identify individuals who posed a potential risk, continuing to employ Koberger and provide him access to students despite the risks.

“The murder was foreseeable and preventable,” the complaint argues, claiming that the university prioritized its own legal and reputational interests over the safety of its students.

The lawsuit highlights perceived failures within the university, including dysfunctional responses from campus police and compliance officers concerning allegations of misconduct.

Koberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to charges of first-degree murder and robbery, ultimately receiving four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors allege Koberger murdered the students in an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022, only a short distance from the WSU campus in Pullman, Washington.

Koberger was apprehended in Pennsylvania in December 2022 after a multi-state investigation. Authorities connected him to the crime through DNA evidence, surveillance footage, and cell phone data indicating his presence near the victims’ home late at night.