On anniversary of slayings, U of I students remember murder victims

Students gather Wednesday in front of the sculpture dedicated to the four University of Idaho students murdered in Moscow in 2022, at a vigil marking the two-year anniversary of the slayings. Liesbeth Powers/Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Two years after a quadruple homicide shook the University of Idaho community, hundreds of students gathered on campus to remember the victims.

Wednesday night’s candlelight vigil took place at the student-designed Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial. The memorial honors all U of I students who have died, including the victims of the Nov. 13, 2022 homicides: Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen.

Rebekah Boyd, center, looks down at the flame of her candle during a vigil held Wednesday at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial to remember the four University of Idaho students murdered two years ago in Moscow. Liesbeth Powers/Moscow-Pullman Daily News

On a chilly, rainy evening, students lit candles and left flowers and postcards for the four victims, Anthony Kuipers of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News reported.

“It really brings us together — the darkness has brought us together and has formed a community and it really means a lot that so many people came out to show support,” said senior Whitney Milleson, according to Kuipers’ report.

Chapin, Goncalves, Kernodle and Mogen were stabbed to death in an off-campus house in an early morning attack.

Bryan Kohberger, a former Washington State University student, faces four first-degree murder charges in connection with the slayings. His trial is scheduled to take place in Ada County next summer.

Kohberger could face the death penalty if convicted. His defense team has argued the death penalty should be taken off the table, the Idaho Statesman reported last week.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]

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