Kaylee Goncalves’ parents said Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt told them that Kaylee suffered multiple stab wounds and other injuries. Those details come from the parents’ later accounts to news outlets, not from the official public cause-of-death release. That release lists Kaylee’s cause of death as homicide—murder and her manner of death as stabbing.
What the official release says
A City of Moscow Police Department release issued on behalf of the Latah County Coroner’s Office identified Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and listed her cause of death as “Homicide — Murder” and her manner of death as “Stabbing.” The release, dated November 17/18, 2022, says the deaths occurred on November 13 at 1122 King Rd. in Moscow, Idaho. It does not describe specific wounds or other injuries. City of Moscow Police Department release
What Kaylee’s parents said the coroner told them
Injuries described by Kristi Goncalves
In a report updated July 18, 2025, the Idaho Statesman said Kristi Goncalves described several stab wounds, a broken nose, signs of asphyxiation and defensive wounds on Kaylee’s arms. The report said the parents wanted investigators to share more information about Kaylee’s last moments. These are details attributed to Kristi’s account of what she learned; they are not findings published in the official summary or independently reviewed autopsy findings. Idaho Statesman report
In a CBS News interview, Kristi described the stabbing as happening “Several, several times,” while Steve said Kaylee “was assaulted and stabbed.” Those are the parents’ words as reported by CBS, not quotations from the coroner. CBS News / 48 Hours
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Bed position and reported sequence
CBS reported that Steve and Kristi said they spoke with Mabbutt before a gag order. They recounted her description of how Kaylee and Madison Mogen were positioned in bed. Steve said the coroner told him Madison was killed first; that sequence is Steve’s account of the conversation, not wording from the public release. CBS also quoted him saying, “She was trapped.” CBS News / 48 Hours
What the probable-cause affidavit adds
A probable-cause affidavit by Brett Payne records that Kaylee and Madison were found deceased in the same bed with visible stab wounds. It is an investigative document, distinct from both the official cause-and-manner release and the parents’ recollections of their conversation with the coroner. It should not be treated as a full autopsy report. Probable-cause affidavit
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Why the distinction matters
- Official public finding: the release states stabbing as the manner of death and homicide—murder as the cause.
- Family-reported details: the descriptions of injuries and bed positioning were conveyed by Kaylee’s parents in media interviews.
- Investigative record: the affidavit documents what investigators reported, but is not a complete medical account.
The Idaho Statesman’s July 18, 2025 report came after Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to four first-degree murders and described the Goncalves family’s frustration with limited information. Idaho Statesman report
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