Sunday, December 22, 2024

House Where Four Idaho Students Were Murdered Will Be Torn Down

According to the University of Idaho, the house off-campus where four students were slain late last year is set to be torn down.

The homeowner of the King Street House, where the bodies of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin were found, has offered it to the university.

University President Scott Green said in his statement that the school has accepted the offer and has made the choice to demolish the home, which is situated just blocks away from campus. 

Green went on to say, “this is a healing step and removes the physical structure where the crime that shook our community was committed. Demolition also removes efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene.”

The university is also making an effort to evaluate “options where students may be involved in the future development of the property” and has stated that scholarships in honor of three of the students have been established and a fourth is in progress, as well as a memorial. 

Late last year in Pennsylvania, Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested for the murders and has since been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary.

“We will never forget Xana, Ethan, Madison and Kaylee, and I will do everything in my power to protect their dignity and respect their memory,” said Green.

Kohberger was a doctoral student at Washington State University in Pullman at the time of the killings. It has been confirmed by a school official that Kohberger is no longer enrolled at the institution.

The first degree murder charges carry sentences that could include life in prison to the death penalty and Kohberger is scheduled for a preliminary hearing starting June 26.

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