Idaho has enacted a new law restricting access to crime scene photos depicting deceased individuals. Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1250 into law on Thursday, barring the release of such images to the public.
Protecting Families in the Wake of Tragedy
The legislation, passed more than three years after the murders of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Maddie Mogen, and Xana Kernodle in Moscow on November 13, 2022, aims to provide greater privacy for grieving families. The bill was drafted in response to the release of crime scene photos related to the case.
Alivea Goncalves, Kaylee’s sister, actively championed the bill, having previously fought the release of the images. She and other family members were not notified before batches of crime scene photos were released, a circumstance she described as deeply destabilizing.
“Nothing prepared me for how painful the death of a thousand cuts was going to be,” Alivea Goncalves told KTVB. “Nothing prepared me for how unstable you would feel in your life just knowing that each day was unpredictable.”
Under the new law, access to photos of deceased individuals will be restricted to their immediate family members. The bill received bipartisan support in the Idaho legislature.
This is the second piece of legislation related to the 2022 murders to pass during the 2026 session. Another bill updated existing law to prevent prisoners from profiting from their crimes through the sale of books or movies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Senate Bill 1250 do?
Senate Bill 1250 bans the release of photos of decedents’ bodies from being released to the public.
Who can request these images after July 1, 2026?
Only the victim’s family members will be able to request the images.
What prompted this legislation?
The bill was drafted after Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Maddie Mogen and Xana Kernodle were murdered in Moscow, Idaho, and their families fought the release of crime scene photos.
As families navigate unimaginable loss, how might laws like this balance the public’s right to information with the need for compassion and privacy?
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