Idaho house where four university students were murdered to be torn down

Feb 24, 2023, 8:00 PM | Updated: 8:27 pm

Objections have been raised to demolishing the house where four University of Idaho students were k...

The University of Idaho plans to demolish the house where four students were murdered in November. Photo credit: David Ryder/Getty Images

(CNN) — The Idaho house where four college students were murdered in November will be demolished as a “healing step,” the University of Idaho said in a statement Friday.

Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20 — were each stabbed multiple times in the early morning hours of November 13 at the off-campus house in the small college town of Moscow.

The house, which is located near the university campus, was given to the school by the owner, the statement said.

The bloody crime scene left in the aftermath of the killings helped authorities navigate their hunt to find the suspect, court documents unsealed last month revealed.

The residence “contained a significant amount of blood from the victims including spatter and castoff (blood stain pattern resulting from blood drops released from an object due to its motion),” according to a probable cause document.

It’s demolition “removes the physical structure where the crime that shook our community was committed” and “removes efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene,” the university said Friday.

It took investigators nearly two months to arrest and publicly name Bryan Kohberger, 28, as a suspect. Kohberger was a graduate student at Washington State University’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology and lived in Pullman, Washington, at the time of his arrest. He now faces four counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbings.

Jodi Walker, a spokeswoman for the school said the university “hopes to demolish the house this semester.”

The university further revealed that planning is underway to create a memorial garden on campus for the slain students as a place of “remembrance” and “healing.” Designs for the garden will be contributed by the students.

Meantime, scholarships have been established in the names of three of the four students and work is underway to finalize the fourth scholarship, according to the university.

Kohberger is scheduled to have a preliminary court hearing in June where a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

US inflation worsened...

CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer

US inflation worsened with rising groceries and gasoline prices

The pace of U.S. inflation worsened last month, with rising costs of groceries, gasoline, and rent.

22 minutes ago

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's choice to be the Director of National Intelligence, arrives...

David Klepper, Associated Press

Senate confirms Gabbard as Trump’s director of national intelligence after Republicans fall in line

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence after Republicans who had initially questioned her experience and judgment fell in line behind her nomination. Gabbard was an unconventional pick to oversee and coordinate the country’s 18 different intelligence agencies, given her past comments sympathetic to Russia, a meeting she held with […]

2 hours ago

four-day school week...

Becky Bruce

Utah public school enrollment declines slightly statewide

Utah public school enrollment dropped about a half percent from 2021 to 2024 statewide, though some districts saw much larger gains and losses.

3 hours ago

A sign welcoming people to the city of Ogden on 25th Street....

Verl Johansen

Ogden housing among 41 metro areas with inventory levels at or above pre-pandemic levels

Ogden housing availability makes the area one of 41 metro areas with supply at or above pre-pandemic levels.

4 hours ago

An electric shuttle at the Temple of Sinawava at Zion National Park. Zion National Park shuttles be...

Mariah Maynes

Zion National Park shuttles begin 2025 seasonal service in March

Zion National Park shuttles will begin regular operation on March 2, 2025.

5 hours ago

A FrontRunner train passes under a new pedestrian bridge at 300 North and 490 West, that crosses tw...

Shara Park, KSL TV

New video shows FrontRunner hit SUV stopped on tracks in Layton

A newly released video captured the moment an SUV was hit by a UTA FrontRunner train in Layton on February 4.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Idaho house where four university students were murdered to be torn down