MOSCOW, IDAHO: The University of Idaho has announced that it will temporarily halt its plans to demolish the house where four students were brutally murdered in November. University officials revealed that they will revisit the decision in October, just before the conclusion of the trial of alleged killer Bryan Kohberger, 28, for the murders of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20.
Why has Idaho murder house demolition stopped?
In a memo sent to staff and faculty at the university, the decision was explained, acknowledging the significant impact the "evil" crime had on the community. The memo stated, "In response to this tragedy, we have tried to do what is right, knowing full well there are no actions or decisions that will be met with full support."
The brutal murders of the four students sent shockwaves throughout the nation, leaving the university grappling with how to handle the house, which has become a constant reminder of the tragedy. The college acknowledged the profound loss suffered by the community and stted, "Since that fateful night in November, the house on King Road where four of our fellow Vandals were senselessly killed has stood as a stark reminder of what was lost. We lost our innocence and our sense of safety. We realized that evil can visit our town, and we lost four bright souls from our Vandal family."
The university recognized the challenging nature of the decision, stating, "On the one hand, some people want it taken down. It is a constant reminder of the heinous acts that went on inside it. It is also a place that continues to draw unwanted attention from the media, YouTubers, and others. On the other hand, it elicits deep emotional responses from those who are working through grief and who fear that its destruction could impact the court case. We hear all these arguments, take them seriously, and weigh them against the greater good of our university."
While there is no legal requirement to preserve the house, the university intends to reassess the decision in October. The memo clarified that the university "fully expects to demolish the house" in the future, but the current decision was deemed the appropriate course of action for the present moment.
Kohberger is awaiting trial
The announcement to retain the house comes ahead of Kohberger's upcoming high-profile murder trial. The trial is expected to shed light on many unanswered questions surrounding the murders. In April, it was revealed that Bethanky Funke, the surviving roommate who was present in the house during the killings, agreed to be interviewed by Kohberger's defense team, potentially providing valuable insights into the case.
The gruesome scene inside the house has left investigators astounded. When the Daily Mail visited the property in November, shortly after the slayings, blood was observed oozing from the walls. Evidence markers were scattered throughout the back porch and interior, painting a chilling picture of the horrific crime. Police sources described it as "the worst they've ever seen," with the victims left to bleed out following the early morning attack. "There was blood everywhere," shared one source close to the investigation. "We have investigators who have been on the job for 20, even 30, years, and they say they have never seen anything like this," the source further said,
