The house where four students were fatally stabbed will be demolished by the University of Idaho.
Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were killed in the early hours of Nov. 13. Police arrested Washington State University graduate student Bryan Kohberger in connection to the crime at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania on Dec. 30.
University of Idaho President Scott Green announced plans to demolish the house on Feb. 24, calling the decision “a healing step” that “removes the physical structure where the crime that shook our community was committed.”
“The owner of the King Street house offered to give the house to the university, which we accepted,” Scott said in a statement. “We are evaluating options where students may be involved in the future development of the property.”
The King Street building was a rental property occupied by Kernodle, Mogen, Goncalves and two other roommates – Dylan Mortenson and Bethany Funke – who were both unharmed.
On the night of the murder, Kernodle’s boyfriend Chapin was spending the night.
In the probable cause affidavit filed prior to Kohberger’s arrest, law enforcement disclosed that Mortenson had woken up around 4 AM on the night of the murder and heard one of her roommates – possibly Gonclaves – say “There’s someone here.”
Mortenson also told police she opened her bedroom door when she heard crying and saw “a figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the person’s mouth and nose walking towards her.” She described the person as “5’10” or taller, male, not very muscular, but athletically built with bushy eyebrows” and said he walked passed her door as she stood in shock.
Police have said neither Mortenson or Funke are suspects in the case.
The affidavit also revealed that cell phone data placed Kohberger on King Street in Moscow, Idaho at least 12 times prior to the attack. Kohberger lived in and attended school in Pullman, Washington which is about eight miles away. Law enforcement also wrote that DNA evidence linked Kohberger to the scene.
People Magazine reported on Feb. 22 that Kohberger had multiple photos of one of the victims on his cell phone, according to an unnamed source.
Law enforcement has not publicly confirmed or denied this report. Second Judicial District Magistrate Judge Megan E. Marshall issued a gag order in December which prevents both the state and defense from discussing the case with the media.
Kohberger has been charged with one count of burglary and four counts of murder. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 26.
