Heartfelt Moment in Court: Murder Victim’s Mother Forgives Her Child’s Killer and Urges Him to Find Faith — “I Pray for You”
In a powerful and emotional moment during a sentencing hearing in Boise, Idaho, Cara Kernodle Northington, the mother of murder victim Xana Kernodle, offered forgiveness to her daughter’s killer, Bryan Kohberger, while urging him to seek redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.
A Mother’s Heartfelt Statement
On July 23, 2025, surrounded by grieving family members and friends, Cara Northington addressed the court and Kohberger, the 30-year-old former criminal justice doctoral candidate who admitted to the brutal murders of Xana Kernodle and three other University of Idaho students on November 13, 2022.
“My daughter was beautiful both inside and out,” Northington said through tears. “She had a light so bright it will live on forever in our hearts. She brought joy and laughter to her friends, her family, and anyone in her presence.”
She continued, “Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now has her in His loving arms in heaven, where she can never be harmed ever again for eternity.”
Finding Strength Through Faith
Northington shared how her daughter’s life and tragic death led her to embrace Christianity, a transformation she credits with giving her the strength to forgive. “It is Christ who lives in me that has given me the strength to forgive you. It was of no power of my own,” she told Kohberger.
She revealed that before and after Xana’s death, she struggled with addiction and turmoil. However, after coming to faith, she now experiences “joy, hope, and peace.” Northington explained that forgiveness has freed her from the pain and anger inflicted by the crime, allowing her to move forward and trust in God’s justice.
“Jesus has allowed me to forgive you for murdering my daughter without even being sorry,” she said. “I do not fear you or even let you have space in my head anymore. This forgiveness has released me of any and all evil you have inflicted on me and my family. It has allowed me to let our Lord deal with you.”
A Plea for Redemption
Looking directly at Kohberger, Northington urged him to consider his spiritual future, reminding him that everyone will ultimately stand before God. “I do pray for you,” she said. “I pray that, before this life is over, that you ask our Lord and Savior in your heart and to forgive you.”
She concluded her statement by sharing verses from Ephesians 6, encouraging everyone present to “be strong in faith and put on the armor of God.”
Faith Amid Tragedy
Northington’s journey of faith began in the aftermath of her daughter’s murder. In a recent interview with CBN News, she described how she found Jesus during a jail call following Xana’s death, a turning point that brought her peace and purpose despite unimaginable loss.
Her public act of forgiveness and her call for Kohberger to seek redemption have resonated with many, highlighting the power of faith and the possibility of healing, even in the face of profound tragedy.
This article provides a complete and nuanced account of the events, emphasizing both the emotional impact and the central role of faith and forgiveness in Cara Northington’s response to her daughter’s murder.
