Idaho
Idaho murder victim Kaylee Goncalves’ family takes heart-wrenching step by going through her belongings: ‘No turning back’
It’s a task no family ever wants to face.
More than two years after University of Idaho murder victim Kaylee Goncalves was brutally slain, her loved ones are finally facing the unimaginable – going through the belongings she left behind.
“Note: this is not all of it, this is JUST the beginning,” a relative wrote in a Jan. 27 post on the Goncalves family’s Facebook page alongside photos of cardboard boxes and plastic containers stacked inside their Idaho home, each labeled with a simple, devastating “K.”
“There are boxes and boxes and boxes. I’m just starting here,” the family member added.
The post explained that Kaylee’s things had been moved out of her childhood bedroom because it was “just too much” to go through them there.
“I’m finally going through Kaylee’s things,” reads the post.
“I am looking for several items, such as her orange Sublime T-shirt, her grey sublime crew neck, Black death row records shirt [sic], and the outfit she was wearing out that night.
“Wish me luck. There’s no turning back now,” the tear-jerking post reads.
Goncalves, 21, was one of four students stabbed to death inside an off-campus Moscow home Nov. 13, 2022 – a tragedy that stunned the nation.
Since then, her life had remained boxed up, untouched and frozen in time – until now.
In a follow-up post, her family shared side-by-side photos of a white crewneck sweatshirt freshly pulled from a box bearing the phrase “Think while it’s still legal,” next to an undated image of Goncalves smiling ear-to-ear while wearing it.
“It doesn’t smell like her, it smells like the box it came out of, but it was definitely hers,” read the caption, accompanied by broken-heart and crying emojis.
Other painful discoveries followed.
On Friday, the family unearthed Goncalves’ mouth retainer and bright red hairbrush – with strands of her long blonde hair still tangled in its bristles.
They also found pink sticky notes bearing everyday to-do lists she never got to finish.
“Curl hair, find stuff on amazon, take murph for a walk, cut nails,” read one note, referring to Goncalves’ beloved pet golden doodle, Murphy.
On the note, which was scribbled with small hearts, Goncalves had also written down the words “manage” and “flexible,” along with questions seemingly meant for a future employer – plans for a life suddenly cut short.
Another heart-clad note simply read, “Hello my name is Kaylee.”
“These items of Kaylee’s, hit me hard today,” the family member wrote. “I just want her back so bad!!!!”
The family member also expressed rage toward her killer, Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty in July to murdering Goncalves and her pals Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 21, and Ethan Chapin, 20.
“FU BK!!!!! I wish Steve could have 1 minute in that cell with him. 1 min, that’s all it would take,” the caption says, referring to Goncalves’ father, Steve Goncalves.
The moving posts all feature the hashtags “goncalvesarmyoflove,” “kayleejade4ever” and “neverforget.”
The family’s heartbreaking work came just days after horrific autopsy reports revealed that Goncalves was knifed roughly 38 times when Kohberger, 31, targeted the King Road home.
Kohberger’s motive for the murders could remain a mystery forever, as he is now serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
The Goncalves family did not respond to Post requests for comment.
RIRIE — Idaho State Police is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Saturday afternoon on U.S. Highway 26 west of Ririe.
Troopers say the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. near milepost 349 on westbound U.S. Route 26, just south of Ririe.
A 2007 Toyota Tundra driven by a 37-year-old man from Ammon was pulling a utility trailer westbound, according to Idaho State Police. Three juveniles were also in the vehicle.
A 2017 Honda Accord, driven by a 44-year-old woman from Idaho Falls, was also traveling westbound when ISP says the driver attempted to make a left turn and was struck by the Toyota.
The driver of the Honda died at the scene from her injuries.
The driver of the Toyota and the three juvenile passengers were taken by ambulance to a local hospital. All occupants in the Toyota were wearing seatbelts. Authorities say the Honda driver was not wearing a seatbelt.
The westbound left lane was blocked for about three hours while investigators worked the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
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The vastness of the American West offers plenty of space to store old cars and a dry environment that keeps rust at bay. But this week, car enthusiasts got an unfortunate reminder that large salvage yards are vulnerable to another threat: wildfires.
L&L Classic Auto in Wendell, Idaho, claims to have over 8,000 cars on site ranging from the 1920s to the 1980s. Most are parts cars that are considered beyond saving, but that still makes them a valuable resource for keeping other cars on the road or, for those willing to make the trek to rural Idaho, a neat history lesson. Earlier this week, a wildfire dubbed the Median Fire descended on Wendell and the salvage yard.
Exploring the LARGEST CLASSIC-CAR JUNKYARD with Freiburger, a D/F Extra
On Wednesday, David Freiburger, who has visited L&L numerous times for video shoots over the years, posted on Facebook that the fire had reached the trove of vintage cars, citing reports from sources on the ground. A later update said that “all the people are okay,” but that “the junkyard took a big hit.”
The Median Fire is estimated at 8,600 acres in size, according to Idaho News 6. As of late Wednesday, Bureau of Land Management officials said the fire’s forward progress had stopped. The fire was burning in grass and brush and driven by wind, moving east after being initially reported about four miles northwest of Wendell at 11:55 a.m. on Wednesday, and crossing State Highway 46, along which L&L is located.
Median Fire Destroys Salvage Yard, Scorches 8,600 Acres in Magic Valley
A full assessment of the damage will have to wait until after the fire is put out, but photos accompanying Freiburger’s Facebook post showing burning cars and clouds of smoke enveloping the salvage yard do not look good.
At risk is a collection of cars as varied as it is numerous. During a visit in early 2025, Freiburger spotted plenty of ’60s classics, lots of decommissioned work vehicles with fantastic hand-painted lettering, plus more esoteric stuff like a 1972 AMC Matador fastback, an International slant-four engine (essentially half of a V8), and a Checker Aerobus. That’s a stretched, eight-door wagon designed for airport transportation in the days before E-Series shuttle buses. The important thing is that nobody was hurt, but hopefully some of this stuff survived the fire as well.
Idaho
‘Land back’ gift to Boise Valley tribes celebrated during annual Return of the Boise Valley People
BOISE, Idaho — A celebration of culture, healing and history took on new meaning Friday as descendants of the Boise Valley’s original Indigenous inhabitants gathered at Eagle Rock Park to honor a three-acre land gift that tribal leaders say will preserve their heritage for generations.
The announcement was celebrated during the 15th annual Return of the Boise Valley People gathering, an event that reunites descendants of the Boise Valley’s original tribes to reconnect with their ancestral homeland while sharing their history, traditions, and culture with the public.
WATCH | New land gift gives Boise Valley tribes a future home for cultural education
Land gift to Boise Valley tribes celebrated during Return of the Boise Valley People
“We honor the relationship between this land and the generations of the original Boise Valley people, their ancestors, their descendants, and those yet to be born,” organizers said during the ceremony.
Among those celebrating was Lance Dick Jr., a member of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Tribal Council who grew up on the Duck Valley Reservation. He joined the Duck Valley Singing Group as tribal members marked the return of the land.
“It feels good to come and connect with the people and come back and reclaim ourselves here in the Boise Valley,” Dick said.
He said the land represents more than property—it represents a renewed connection to the Boise Valley.
“It just feels good knowing that there’s people willing to contribute back to our people and give that land, and being able to reclaim ourselves here in the valley,” he said.
The property, located near the Boise Foothills in the North End, will remain home to the Keener family during their lifetime. Afterward, it will become a cultural gathering place where future generations can learn about the Indigenous peoples whose ancestors lived throughout the Boise Valley for thousands of years.
Lori “BirdWing” Edmo, co-founder of the Return of the Boise Valley People gathering, said the vision extends beyond preserving the land.
“Our plan is to use it as a place to educate about our people, our version of our history, and also to educate everyone,” Edmo said. “We’ll grow our traditional foods and have a walking path with information about the original Boise Valley people.”
Ed Keener said his family’s decision to return the land followed years of building relationships with members of the Shoshone-Paiute and Shoshone-Bannock tribes.
“I’ve been working to get to know Native people for 20 years, particularly people from Duck Valley,” Keener said. “I thought this would be really good for folks whose ancestors were here to begin with and had always been here.”
The Return of the Boise Valley People gathering continues through the weekend. Friday’s public cultural celebration featured tribal booths, songs, language demonstrations and educational exhibits. Saturday’s activities include a walk and run at Eagle Rock Park before tribal events move to Gowen Field, while the weekend concludes Sunday with a sunrise ceremony for participating tribes.
The Keener family says they hope their gift inspires other landowners to consider ways to help preserve Indigenous history and strengthen connections between communities.
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