MOSCOW, IDAHO: In the wake of the upcoming murder trial of suspect Bryan Kohberger, the University of Idaho is proceeding with its plan to demolish the residence where four students tragically lost their lives in November. The university aims to complete the demolition before the start of the fall semester, which is scheduled for late August. Jodi Walker, a spokesperson for the University of Idaho, stated that they are currently working through the process but they do not yet have a specific date for the demolition. “We hope to have the house down before school starts,” Walker told the Idaho Statesman by email. “We don’t yet have a date for demolition. We continue to work through the process."
Removal of Personal Belongings
The large off-campus King Road residence, which gained international attention following the November 13 stabbings, will be torn down, and all personal belongings belonging to the victims and their unharmed housemates will be removed. Kohberger, the suspect in the case, was apprehended on December 30 in eastern Pennsylvania after an extensive seven-week manhunt. He is currently held at the Latah County Jail, merely 1 1/2 miles away from the home, awaiting his trial set to commence in early October.
The victims, University of Idaho seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, along with junior Xana Kernodle and freshman Ethan Chapin, both 20, tragically lost their lives in the incident. While the three women were tenants of the house located just north of the new Greek Row, Chapin, Kernodle's boyfriend, was staying over for the night.
Bryan Kohberger, 28, was a graduate student in Washington State University's criminal justice and criminology program in Pullman, Washington. The neighboring towns of Moscow and Pullman are situated approximately 9 miles apart along the Idaho-Washington border. Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Prosecutors have recently announced their intention to seek the death penalty in the event of a conviction.
Progress Toward Demolition
The initial steps toward the demolition of the six-bedroom, three-bathroom residence began on Tuesday, June 27, as crews commenced preparatory work on the now boarded-up property. Jodi Walker confirmed that the families of the victims will have the option to reclaim the cleared-out items if they so desire. On Wednesday afternoon, a group of university officials, representatives from a remediation firm, and a trucking company were observed conducting an inspection of the fenced-off property. Work trucks and a box truck were parked nearby, awaiting further action.
The home, which was donated to the University of Idaho by its owner following the tragic homicides, was slated for demolition by the end of the spring semester. However, delays arose due to a backlog of university projects involving the same personnel. Walker explained that the recent commencement ceremony marked the conclusion of the spring semester, and the initiation of work at the residence signifies the first step towards its eventual removal.
The Future and Healing
University of Idaho President Scott Green expressed his thoughts on the upcoming demolition in a February email to students and employees, stating, "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." Regarding the future use of the property after the demolition, Green mentioned the possibility of involving students in the site's development, while also indicating that a memorial garden honoring the four students is currently in the planning stages.
As the University of Idaho continues its efforts to move forward from this tragic event, president Green assured, "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."
