University of Idaho sets date to demolish Moscow house where 4 students were killed
University officials have scheduled a date to demolish the Moscow home where four University of Idaho students were killed more than a year ago.
The University of Idaho said in a Thursday news release that Moscow-based Germer Construction, which is providing its services at a reduced cost, will begin the demolition at 7 a.m. Dec. 28 and that it may take several days to clear the site. Bryan Kohberger, a former Washington State University graduate student, has been accused of stabbing the four students to death in the off-campus home.
The house where Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were killed will be torn down over winter break, a decision the university made to “decrease further impact” on neighboring residents, the release said. The six-bedroom off-campus home was donated to the university earlier this year.
“It is the grim reminder of the heinous act that took place there,” U of I President Scott Green said in the news release. “While we appreciate the emotional connection some family members of the victims may have to this house, it is time for its removal and to allow the collective healing of our community to continue.”
Kohberger was arrested in December 2022 and faces four counts of first-degree murder for the November 2022 stabbings. According to the release, Kohberger’s defense team will be visiting the house Thursday and Friday to take photos, measurements and drone footage to prepare for the trial. The trial was delayed indefinitely after Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial.
The U of I planned to demolish the house in August before the school year started but it was delayed, the Statesman previously reported.
Kohberger’s trial was initially scheduled for October, but after it was pushed back, the FBI returned to the house to scan the house and create visual models that could be used during the trial.
Three of the victims’ families previously questioned destroying the house before Kohberger’s then-October trial. Shanon Gray, attorney for the Goncalves family, told the Statesman by email that the house still has “evidentiary value” and that the Goncalves family repeatedly asked the prosecution and university about keeping the house.
Gray in the statement said there might still be additional evidence in the house.
“This is one of the most horrific crimes in the history of Idaho, and the University of Idaho wants to destroy one of the most critical pieces of evidence in the case — and it is also important to make note that there is now a demolition date before there is even a trial date set,” Gray said in a statement.
The story was updated 2:11 p.m. Dec. 15 to include a statement from the Goncalves family.
This story was originally published December 14, 2023 at 2:00 PM.
