David Muir reflects on ‘dramatic and heartbreaking’ scene of ‘raw emotion’ after major story update

David Muir kicked off the latest episode of World News Tonight with a warning to viewers about a major story update that was ‘dramatic’ and ‘heartbreaking’

David Muir’s latest episode of World News Tonight kicked off with the conclusion to the story of the Idaho College Murders, with the sentencing of Bryan Kohberger, describing it as a “dramatic” and “heartbreaking” scene that was filled with “raw emotion.”

After first discussing the most recent updates regarding the Epstein files, Muir switched gears to the sentencing of Kohberger, who avoided the death penalty after admitting he murdered Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin at their off-campus home in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022.

Introducing the story, which also touched on Kohberger’s defiant response to being sentenced to four life sentences without parole, the 51-year-old anchor kept his emotions in check and exuded calm as he discussed how the day’s events played out.

“We’re going to turn in the meantime to the dramatic and heartbreaking scene in court today–the sentencing of Bryan Kohberger in the Idaho College Murders case,” he said to viewers directly. “Raw emotion from family members face-to-face with the confessed murderer.”

Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to four life sentences in prison for the murders of four Idaho College students

He then further explained some of what happened, noting “what one father said just feet away from him in that courtroom, and then what happened when the judge gave Bryan Kohberger an opportunity to speak.”

The report then delved into details about the emotional day in the courtroom, noting that Goncalves, who was stabbed 34 times in the brutal slaying, had the family members with the most to say at the sentencing.

Not only did her father turn the podium to address Kohberger directly, but her sister, Alivea, delivered an impactful statement that showed her not only trying to get answers to the questions that have never been answered by Kohberger, but also trying to get under his skin.

“You’re pathetic, You aren’t special or deep. Not mysterious or exceptional,” she said.

“Where is the murder weapon? The clothes you wore that night? What were Kaylee’s last words?” she asked.

“If you were really smart, do you think you’d be here right now?” she concluded. “If you hadn’t attacked them in their sleep, in the middle of the night, like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your f—ing a–.”

The sentencing also saw one of the two surviving roommates speak publicly for the first time, with Dylan Mortensen visibly overcome with emotion as she talked about the trauma she experienced from the murders, and slammed Kohberger for his lack of remorse.

Dylan Mortensen made her first public statement at the sentencing

Mortensen was the sole eyewitness to the murders, saying she had heard strange noises in an affidavit after the fact, and when she went to investigate, she saw a person who was dressed in black and wearing a ski mask walking past her bedroom door. She also unknowingly saw Kernodle’s dead body, thinking she was just drunk at the time.

In her emotional statement, she called Kohberger “hollow” and criticized his lack of remorse and choice of actions.

“He is a hollow vessel. Something less than human. A body without empathy or remorse,” she said.

“He chose destruction, he chose evil. He feels nothing. He tried to take everything from me.”