The Idaho House Where 4 College Students Were Murdered Is Being Demolished Today: 'A Healing Step'

On November 13, 2022, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were stabbed to death inside an off-campus residence

Demolition began today on the three-story building where four University of Idaho students were killed last November after the homeowner donated it to the university.

“This is a healing step and removes the physical structure where the crime that rocked our community was committed,” the school said in a Feb. 24 statement announcing the planned demolition of the house. “Demolition also removes efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene. We are evaluating opportunities for students to be involved in future development of the property.”

The home, located at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, is where University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were stabbed to death on the second and third floor on Nov. 13, 2022. Authorities believe the killings occurred between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m., according to the suspect’s probable cause arrest affidavit, reviewed by PEOPLE.

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“Sometimes it’s hard to see past this tragedy,” University of Idaho President Scott added in a Feb. 24 statement. “But the selfless acts, deep commitment, and loving support of our entire Vandal family remind me that there is so much good in the world. We will never forget Xana, Ethan, Madison, and Kaylee, and I will do everything in my power to protect their dignity and respect memory of them.”

The university confirmed the demolition date in a Dec. 14 press release and said suspect Bryan Kohberger’s defense team planned to access the home on Dec. 14 and 15 to “photograph. measure and possibly collect drone footage of the home.”

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From left, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle.

Two additional roommates in the house during the attack survived and were not injured. Authorities arrested Kohberger, 28, after linking him to the crime scene using DNA evidence found on a knife sheath left next to one of the deceased victims, surveillance footage and Kohberger’s cell phone pings, according to the affidavit.

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The house is a “sad reminder of the heinous act that took place there,” Green said in a Dec. 14 post. “While we appreciate the emotional connection that some family members of the victims may have with this house, it is time to remove it and allow the collective healing of our community to continue.”

The Goncalves family has publicly stated their opposition to the demolition.

In June, prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty against Kohberger — who was a doctoral student at the State University of Criminology at the time of the murders. Two months later, in August, he waived his right to a speedy trial, causing the trial to be postponed indefinitely.

Bryan Kohberger.

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

In addition to the house being demolished, Green also announced in February that a “healing garden and memorial” was being created on the university campus in memory of Mogen, Goncalves, Kernodle and Chapin and additional University of Idaho students who passed away.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education