Meet Kaylee
Kaylee Goncalves was the kind of person people were naturally drawn to.
She had a way of making others feel comfortable almost instantly, like they belonged without having to try. Her laugh was loud, her energy was real, and her presence made even ordinary moments feel lighter. Raised in Rathdrum, Idaho, Kaylee grew up surrounded by family and lifelong friends who meant everything to her. She carried that love into every part of her life, showing up for people in ways that felt effortless but meant everything.
She was preparing to graduate from the University of Idaho, with a job already waiting for her in Texas. She was excited, ready for what was next, and stepping into a chapter of life she had worked hard for.
She was a daughter, a sister, a best friend, and someone whose presence left a lasting mark on everyone who knew her.
Kaylee's Story
Kaylee was a light in every room she entered. She had a way of making people feel seen, loved, and safe just by being herself. Whether it was time with her family, laughing with her friends, or the quiet moments that meant everything, Kaylee lived with warmth, kindness, and a heart that gave so much to others.
She had dreams, plans, and a future she was building. She was a daughter, a friend, a best friend to Maddie, and someone who brought comfort and joy to everyone lucky enough to know her.
On November 13, 2022, Kaylee’s life was taken in an act of violence that shook not only her loved ones, but an entire community. What happened was senseless. The loss left a silence that can never truly be filled.
Her story does not end there.
It lives on in the love that surrounds her, in the memories carried by those who knew her, and in the fight to make sure no family is left without answers.
This foundation was created in her name to carry her light forward and to help bring answers, justice, and closure to families still waiting.
Because every life deserves to be known.
Every story deserves to be told.
And every name deserves to be remembered.
The Impact She Left
Kaylee’s life was deeply tied to the people she loved.
Her friendships weren’t casual. They were constant, real, and built over years of shared moments that didn’t need to be documented to matter. Her bond with her best friend, Maddie, was one of those connections that just existed — steady, understood, and always there.
She was part of people’s everyday lives. The person you checked in with, laughed with, and relied on without thinking twice. Kaylee made people feel comfortable being themselves. She listened, she paid attention, and she showed up in ways that felt natural but meant everything.
That’s what stays.
The way she made people feel, and the space she still continues to hold in their lives.
That’s the impact this foundation carries forward.
How She’s Remembered
Kaylee is remembered in the smallest moments.
In the way a room feels when everyone is laughing a little louder. In the kind of energy that makes people feel at ease without even knowing why. She had a way of bringing people together, of making things feel lighter just by being there.
She didn’t need to try to be that person. She just was.
Her friendships were real, steady, and full of the kind of connection that doesn’t need to be explained. With her best friend Maddie, it was the kind of bond that just existed… constant, understood, and always there.
People remember how easy it felt to be around her.
How she listened.
How she showed up.
How she made them feel like they mattered.
That’s how she’s remembered.
Not in a single moment, but in all of them.
Seeking Justice Together
The Fight for Answers
Kaylee’s story did not end the day her life was taken.
Her case brought national attention and a renewed focus on the importance of timely investigations, advanced forensic tools, and continued support for victims’ families. This foundation carries that impact forward, working to ensure other families have access to the resources and technology needed to move their cases ahead.
A Living Tribute
In a beautiful tribute to Kaylee, Rivers Dahlias named a stunning new bloom “The Kaylee Jade.” With support from the American Dahlia Society, this living legacy ensures her name continues to bloom year after year. A portion of proceeds supports the Kaylee Jade Foundation and our mission to pursue justice and remembrance.
Help Us Seek Justice Together
Your donation helps fund forensic advancement, victim advocacy, and pathways to justice.
Securely support Murder Has a Name through The Kaylee Goncalves Foundation, Inc.