MOSCOW, Idaho – With just seven days left until the scheduled demolition of the “King Road house,” prosecutors in the case against Bryan Kohberger made a return visit to the residence where four University of Idaho students were brutally murdered.
Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves lost their lives in the off-campus house on November 13, 2022. The University of Idaho intends to demolish the house on December 28.
Following the delay of Kohberger’s trial, multiple parties involved in the case, including the FBI, prosecution, and defense, have been granted access to the crime scene over the past two months. Thursday’s visit by the prosecution team comes amid urgency due to the impending demolition.
The University of Idaho has stated its intention to proceed with the demolition, despite the defense and families of the victims expressing their desire to preserve the house. The home was given to the university by the owner in the aftermath of the murders.
The families of the victims have emphasized the significance of preserving the “King Road house,” considering it a critical piece of evidence in the case. They have questioned the decision to demolish the home before the trial date has even been set.
Kohberger faces charges of first-degree murder and felony burglary in connection with the deaths of the four students. According to prosecutors, DNA evidence found at the crime scene has been linked to Kohberger. As of now, a trial date has not been established for the case.
Despite the impending demolition of the house, the families continue to advocate for its preservation until the conclusion of the trial. This case has prompted discussions regarding the importance of preserving crime scenes as evidence, raising broader questions about the handling of such cases.
In the meantime, the University of Idaho plans to construct a memorial, the “Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial,” on campus in memory of the victims. As the legal proceedings unfold, the families of the victims and the university remain entangled in a debate over the future of the “King Road house.”