Today is the day that the residence of the heinous crime where four University of Idaho students were murdered is scheduled to be demolished. The delay in the trial of the suspected murderer, Bryan Kohberger, disrupted earlier plans for the house located on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, to be taken down. The previous plans were for a test in October. Now, he will face trial next summer for the slayings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The ownership of the property had been granted to the university.
The university’s announcement included provisions for teams from both prosecution and defense to access the six-bedroom house before demolition, claiming that added information had been gathered by the FBI from the property. Demolition was timed for the school’s winter break when fewer students would be in the area. Unanimously, neither the prosecution nor the defense objected to the house’s destruction, leaving the trial to face house’s removal.
President of the University, Scott Green, expressed his appreciation for the emotional connection that the victims’ families may have to the house. This would mark the start of the collective healing process of their community after the fatal incident. However, the Goncalves family disagreed with the demolition on grounds of evidentiary and emotional value.
There is a palpable outpour from the community wanting the house to be removed as it continues to create painful memories for the students. Relatives of Ethan Chapin express their backing for the demolition, stating that it will be beneficial for the University. The four students were found stabbed, and two of their roommates were unharmed. Kohberger, a local criminology graduate student, held cause for much interest as he sought. He has pleaded not guilty. The demolition of the house is expected to provide solace for all affected by the tragedy.
