John Walsh, the renowned presenter of "America's Most Wanted," has offered counsel to the bereaved parents of four University of Idaho students who were tragically murdered in their off-campus residence in November 2022.
Walsh, who initiated the show following the horrific kidnapping and murder of his own son in 1981, shared his advice in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Walsh reassured the grieving parents, stating, "They don't have to do anything. They don't have to go to the state capital and change laws. They just have to get through the trial. And when the trial is done I'm sure that they'll get justice. I truly believe it."
Ahead of the relaunch of "America's Most Wanted" on FOX on January 22, Walsh encouraged the parents of the deceased students - Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20 - to remain resilient as the legal proceedings unfold.
"The main thing to do is celebrate the life of that child," Walsh added. "I realize that the six and a half years I had Adam were some of the best of my life."
Walsh, who has become a symbol of justice over the decades, has helped facilitate 1,200 arrests and 61 child rescues through his television program. He emphasized the importance of remembering and celebrating his son, rather than dwelling on the tragedy.
"It's the worst thing you can imagine, to be the parent of a murdered child," he said. "It's just unbearable. It breaks your heart in half. And you know what? You'll take that to your death. You never forget. There's no such thing as closure."
Walsh expressed his empathy and support for the parents, stating, "I pray for them, because they will get through it in honor of their children. They will persevere and make sure that their children got justice."
The accused, a 29-year-old former criminology Ph.D. student named Kohberger, is charged with breaking into an off-campus rental home in the early hours of November 13, 2022, and fatally stabbing four of the six students inside. A trial date could be set by Idaho Judge John Judge later this month.
Evidence against Kohberger includes a Ka-Bar knife sheath found under Mogen's body, which prosecutors claim has Kohberger's DNA on the snap. His white Hyundai Elantra has also been linked to the crime scene, and phone records allegedly show he stalked the victims' home multiple times prior to the crime. If convicted, Kohberger could face execution by firing squad.
Kohberger is scheduled to appear in court again on January 26. Judge entered not guilty pleas on his behalf to each of the charges during his arraignment in May 2023.
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