Bryan Kohberger's retrial hearings are abruptly vacated as lawyer warns case is just beginning

Judge Steven Hippler quietly vacated three upcoming hearings for convicted Idaho student killer Bryan Kohberger on Tuesday, with no explanation given and victims' families left in the dark. Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to the 2022 stabbings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, all aged 20 or 21, accepting four consecutive life sentences to avoid the death penalty. He later petitioned to withdraw that plea, claiming his lawyers misled him and withheld evidence.

Thursday's hearing was set to address Kohberger's bid to oust Judge Hippler, who branded him a 'faceless coward' at sentencing.

Kohberger's family lawyer Jason Goldman said the cancellations 'simply mark the start of a longer post-conviction relief process.'

Kaylee Goncalves's family told reporters they had not been informed of the cancellation or given any reason for it.