Crews began the process of clearing out the King Road home in Moscow, Idaho, on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, where four University of Idaho students were tragically killed on November 13, 2022. The six-bedroom rental house, once a hub of student life near the university's Greek Row, will be demolished following the landlord's donation of the property to the university.
According to Jodi Walker, the University of Idaho's senior director of communications, the initial phase involves removing personal belongings for the victims' families to retrieve if they choose. This process is anticipated to last several weeks.
Trucks marked "Disaster Response" were observed at the scene. These appear to be from the same company that was initially slated to clear the house before a court order halted the process to allow defense investigators access to the crime scene on December 30.
The victims – Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle – all suffered fatal stab wounds, according to Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt. Some were likely asleep when the attack began. The house has been under constant surveillance since the murders, with boarded-up windows and temporary fencing surrounding the property.
Two surviving housemates were unharmed in the attack. One reported seeing a masked individual exiting through the back door. The house was boarded up in February. University President Scott Green confirmed the university's acceptance of the donated property and its planned demolition, describing it as a step towards healing and eliminating the physical reminder of the tragedy. He also mentioned plans for a memorial garden on campus to honor the victims and other deceased students.
The demolition aims to reduce sensationalism surrounding the crime scene. The location of the memorial garden is yet to be determined, but students may be involved in its development. The suspect, Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University, faces four counts of first-degree murder and a felony burglary charge. Prosecutors allege Kohberger's DNA was found on a knife sheath recovered at the scene, while the defense maintains Kohberger has no connection to the victims.
A police affidavit indicates Kohberger had allegedly surveilled the King Road residence multiple times before the killings and returned hours later. It remains unclear whether the target was the house itself – which had prior noise complaints and underage drinking reports – or specific individuals. Kohberger's mid-December cross-country drive back to his parents' home in Pennsylvania with his father involved two traffic stops in Indiana. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Kohberger is being held without bail in the Latah County Jail, with his trial scheduled for October 2nd.
