MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho proceeded with the demolition of a house where four students were fatally stabbed, despite opposition from the families of two of the victims. The families had requested that the demolition be delayed until after evidence needed for the court case could be collected from the site. The house was offered to the university by its owner after the tragic incident occurred in November last year.

The families of the victims, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves, expressed concerns about unanswered evidentiary questions regarding the house. They emphasized the need for the trial to proceed and for justice to be served before the demolition took place. However, the university viewed the demolition as a necessary step for healing and moving forward from the tragedy.

Latah County Prosecuting Attorney William Thompson stated that prosecuting attorneys and lead investigators did not anticipate further use of the house, as necessary measurements had already been collected for the trial. Meanwhile, defense lawyers for the suspect, Bryan Kohberger, who has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, also accessed the home to collect evidence.

The FBI had previously gathered data from the house, and the university announced that the demolition would be carried out over at least two days by Germer Construction of Moscow. According to University President Scott Green, the demolition was seen as a way to lessen the impact of the tragedy on nearby students. The trial date for the suspect has not yet been set.

The university’s decision to proceed with the demolition has sparked debate about the timing of such actions in relation to ongoing legal proceedings. The families of the victims continue to advocate for a trial date to be scheduled and for the case to move forward as they seek justice for their loved ones.