University of Idaho murders 1 year later: Moscow community continues to mourn and heal
Monday marks one year since four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death. Students arrange statewide vigils as they continue to heal, one day at a time.
This publication is Part I of a four-part series.
One year ago, on November 13, life for the students and staff at the University of Idaho was forever changed. What was once considered to be a safe, close-knit college community, quickly spiraled into chaos when four students were brutally murdered in an off-campus home on King Road. One year later, friends and family strive to heal as they remember the four victims - Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves.
Sunday, November 13, 2022 The day of the murders
It was the crime that put the small town of Moscow at the center of a media firestorm.
"Those first days are a blur in so many ways, because we were responding. We were all devastated, we were all in shock," said Blaine Eckles, Dean of Students and Vice Provost for Student Affairs at the University of Idaho. "No one ever anticipates going through an experience like this at all, you can't really plan for something like this."
In the days following the murders, the community entered crisis mode as investigators coordinated a plan to find the killer. Amid the chaos, Eckles hatched his own efforts to take care of the students and university staff.
"We had a job to do, which was responding to the needs of our students," Eckles recalled. "We lead with a 'student first' approach of student safety, security and support. That made it really simple in my world."
The University of Idaho students were Eckles' top priority. Everyone on the campus made a concerted effort to be there for one another.
"From the way our faculty supported students who needed to go home in probably one of the darkest times of their lives, to the support and outreach that I've seen the students show in care and support of one another, to the beautiful outpouring of support for the families of these individuals that we've lost," said Eckles.
RELATED: Kaylee Goncalves' parents remember her and Mogen
RELATED: Trial 'delayed indefinitely' for Kohberger
After weeks of uncertainty and fear in the small town of Moscow, a murder suspect was arrested.
Bryan Kohberger was arrested in late December of 2022 - prompting a huge sigh of relief, and a lot of unanswered questions.
A Healing Step A memorial and the King Road house
One year after the tragedy, life goes on. With a primary focus of healing, arrangements are underway for the future Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial, a quiet spot in the heart of the university campus.
"I knew that we would have to create some kind of memorial to remember these four bright souls that we lost, so we are creating a Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial. It's nestled in a quiet secluded place surrounded by trees," said Eckles. "We have our students in the art and architecture programs that are leading the way with gathering ideas and research for what a design could look like for that. I'm really excited to see what the students are going to do with it."
The project is still in the early stages of development, but donations are already pouring in.
"Today we have raised over $219,000 that will go to the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial. We don't have a budget for what it will look like, we are anticipating quite a bit more. So, we are always looking for donations and opportunities for folks to help us create a space where our Vandal family can come together and heal and grieve in support of one another," Eckles said.
Thousands of those dollars contributed were raised by U of I Vandals themselves. A group of students banded together soon after the murders and sold hundreds of black, rubber 'Vandal Strong' bracelets to raise money for the memorial. The bracelets have the names of the four students lost imprinted on them.
"The bracelets were a student-led initiative, they raised $25,000," Eckles said. Eckles still wears his bracelet to this day.
Despite all healing efforts, Eckles acknowledged that perhaps the most prominent reminder of the awful crime, remains visible from nearly every direction.
The boarded-up King Road house, the scene of the crime, stands prominent on a hill in Moscow.
University officials intend to eventually demolish the home - a controversial decision made by the university. However, investigators argue that the house is "one of the most critical pieces of evidence."
"What I do know is it has an impact on our students," Eckles said. "It's a constant daily reminder for them and it's a hardship as well. We have delayed bringing the house down, there are no plans for that. The president made the decision over the summer to pause on demo on the house, so at the moment there are no plans to do anything with the house."
Demolition arrangements were paused in January after the suspect's public defender filed a motion to preserve the crime scene as evidence. Additionally, the families of three of the victims want the house preserved until the case is resolved.
Due to the trial of the primary suspect being "delayed indefinitely," FBI investigators revisited the King Road home in early November to gather additional images and measurements in order to "construct visual and audio exhibits and a physical model of the home," according to the University of Idaho.
"We are evaluating as the situation goes; and seeing what happens on the court side, too. I think President Green is just being very sensitive to the needs and concerns of the families, but we also have a responsibility to our community," Eckles said.
For now, the house will remain on King Road.
University of Idaho students arranged a remembrance vigil for Monday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Moscow campus. Students are expected to speak at the ceremony. Another vigil was organized by students from the University of Idaho Boise College of Law at 7 p.m. Monday at the College of Law entrance on Front Street in Boise.
One year later, Eckles, who is also a graduate of the university, said that being a Vandal means more to him now than ever before.
"The one thing it's done is it has impacted what it means to be a member of the Vandal family," Eckles said. "We are there for one another, we care for one another, we support one another."
For more information on the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial, and how you can donate to the cause, click here.
Watch more coverage of this story:
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