A grieving mother's words of forgiveness were the most emotional moment during the sentencing of the man who took her daughter’s life.

Cara Kernodle, the mother of slain University of Idaho student Xana Kernodle, spoke directly to the confessed killer, Bryan Kohberger, during a sentencing hearing, offering a message of grace grounded in her Christian faith, CBN reported.

On November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students, including Xana Kernodle, were tragically killed. Bryan Kohberger, 30, a former criminal justice doctoral candidate, later admitted responsibility for the murders. During his sentencing hearing, Cara Kernodle addressed him with a powerful victim impact statement.

Mother Reflects on Daughter’s Life and Faith Journey

Speaking through tears, Cara Kernodle described her daughter as radiant and full of joy. She emphasized Xana's positive energy and the lasting impact she had on those around her. "She had a light so bright it will live on forever in our hearts," Cara said.

Kernodle shared that she believes Xana is now in heaven and protected from harm. Her journey through the loss, she explained, led her to turn to Christianity. After enduring a life marked by addiction and turmoil, she said her faith gave her newfound peace.

"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,” she said. Her statement reflected a deep dependence on her religious beliefs in navigating the pain of her daughter’s death.

Forgiveness Extended Despite Deep Pain

Remarkably, Kernodle offered Kohberger forgiveness, crediting her newfound Christian beliefs. “It is Christ who lives in me that has given me the strength to forgive you,” she told him. “It was of no power of my own.”

She was candid about her emotional journey, explaining that her forgiveness did not come from herself, but from her faith. She emphasized that, despite not receiving remorse from Kohberger, she had chosen to let go of hatred.

“I do not fear you or even let you have space in my head anymore,” she said. “This forgiveness has released me from any evil you have inflicted on me and my family." The courtroom listened in silence as she described how her faith freed her from the grip of anger and fear.

Warning Coupled With a Plea for Redemption

Kernodle warned Kohberger that he would one day face judgment before God. She spoke about the reality of heaven and hell, expressing her belief that spiritual accountability awaits everyone. Her message was both a warning and an earnest plea for his repentance.

“It has allowed me to let our Lord deal with you,” she stated, reinforcing that she had removed herself from the cycle of revenge or hatred. She then turned again to plead for his redemption. “I do pray for you,” she said. “I pray that, before this life is over, you ask our Lord and Savior in your heart to forgive you.”

During her statement, Kernodle read aloud scripture from Ephesians 6, underscoring her belief in spiritual warfare and the ultimate authority of God. Her address reflected both her journey and her hope for a higher form of justice.

Statement Highlights Faith, Redemption, and Hope

Throughout her speech, Kernodle focused not on vengeance, but on faith, transformation, and the enduring memory of her daughter. She made it clear that the tragedy had not only changed her, but had also led others around her toward their spiritual convictions.

Kernodle said that even in mourning, she now experiences “joy, hope, and peace.” Her capacity to extend forgiveness, she maintained, was not possible without her relationship with Christ. She emphasized that her walk with faith began after experiencing unimaginable loss.

By offering grace to the man who took her daughter's life, she said she reclaimed power over her suffering. The message of her testimony was as much about her daughter’s memory as it was about how she chose to respond to pain through faith rather than despair.

Sentencing Sheds Light on Impact of Crime

The courtroom recognized a moment of deep sorrow turned into a message of spiritual hope. Kernodle’s words added a powerful dimension to a case that had already shocked and grieved the nation. Her forgiveness brought a striking contrast to the horrors of the crime.

While Bryan Kohberger’s admission to the murders has left many seeking justice, Kernodle’s statement reminded observers of another side to healing—rooted in grace and the strength to forgive. Her testimony became one of the most emotionally resonant moments in the proceedings.

As the legal process moves forward, her statements may remain a central reminder of how those left behind navigate an unthinkable tragedy. Though the crime will not be forgotten, she urged the focus to also include transformation and light after darkness.