MOSCOW, Idaho — Investigators with the FBI were permitted by the University of Idaho to enter and conduct a further investigation of the home, and chilling crime scene, of which the stabbing murders of four students occurred last year.
Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were murdered in the off-campus residence - referred to as the "King Road house" - on Nov. 13, 2022.
Due to the trial of the primary suspect, Bryan Kohberger, being "delayed indefinitely," the FBI is utilizing the extra time to gather more information on the scene of the crime.
Although details of the scene were taken at the time of the initial investigation, they will gather their own measurements and images now that the personal property has been removed from the premises.
As the one-year mark of the quadruple homicide nears, investigators return to the house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, to gather additional evidence, images and measurements in order to "construct visual and audio exhibits and a physical model of the home," according to a news release from the University of Idaho.
The prosecution explained to the university that the timeframe initially allotted to investigators in an October trial to create visual displays and models of the home, was not enough - prompting the University of Idaho (owner of the King Road house) to grant the FBI access to the property for two days, Tuesday, Oct. 31, and Wednesday, Nov. 1.
University officials said that "while the university still intends to demolish the home, it will not be done this semester" - a controversial decision made by the university as a "step" towards healing from the horrific tragedy that rocked the small community of Moscow.
Along with the demolition of King Road house, University of Idaho plans to construct a memorial called "Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial" on campus in memory of the victims.
"We know that every action and decision around this horrific incident is painful and invokes emotions. That is why every decision we have made this far is with the families of the victims and our students in mind," UI President Scott Green said. "While we look forward to removing this grim reminder of this tragedy, we feel holding until October is the right thing to do."
Despite the university's decision, demolition arrangements were paused in January after the suspect's public defender, Anne Taylor, 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.
On Tuesday, Shanon Gray, attorney for the Goncalves family, issued the following statement on behalf of Jeff Kernodle, father of Xana Kernodle, and the Goncalves family:
“As the family has stressed from the beginning of this investigation, the King Road house is one of the most critical pieces of evidence in this case. We are grateful that the University of Idaho listened to the families concerns and delayed the demolition of the home. Isn’t this the whole point of not destroying evidence? You may not know if you need it until later or it may become more important once a jury hears evidence in a case. It is our understanding that the King Road residence will not be demolished until after the trial has concluded. On another note, it is important for families of victims to stay involved in this process and trust your gut when it comes to standing up for the victims in the case. Our voice has been loud and consistent and will stay that way for Kaylee , Xana and all the victims until justice has been served.”
Steve Graham, a criminal defense attorney with more than 20 years of experience, said the defense and prosecution want to be thorough and do their own analysis of the crime scene.
"It doesn't surprise me that the defense team there in Moscow sought to have access to the scene of the crime here," Graham said. "Any diligent defense attorney would want as much and frankly, I think the prosecutors would be in support as well, because they want a conviction at trial that's going to be upheld on appeal. And that means having effective representation of counsel."
Kohberger is charged with first-degree murder and felony burglary in the killings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen. Prosecutors say his DNA was found on a knife sheath at the scene, located underneath Mogen and Goncalves' bodies. Kohberger, a former criminology student at Washington State University, was arrested in December 2022 at his family's home in Pennsylvania and extradited to Idaho on Jan. 4, 2023.
The house outbuildings, trailers, vehicles and curtilage will remain preserved as part of the investigation. The university stated that all personal items have been removed from the home.
Plywood securing the windows and door of the house will be removed Tuesday and a specialized team from the FBI will conduct the operation, according to the university. Upon completion, the house will be re-secured and boarded.
Due to a gag order imposed by the court, no information or comment was provided by the prosecutor's office, investigators or law enforcement.
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