Moscow murders, one year later: ‘It still feels like it just happened’

The families of the four murdered University of Idaho students are preparing for the grim one-year mark of a tragedy that changed their lives forever.

On social media, some of the parents of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, who were stabbed to death in Moscow, have indicated they’re privately remembering their slain children with a few close family members and friends.

“Our family is currently taking some time to pause,” wrote Ethan’s mother, Stacy Chapin. “We are spending time with family and friends who have stood by us and offered support throughout the year.”

Kristi Goncalves, mother of Kaylee, told the many followers on the family’s Facebook page that they are grateful for all of the love and support they’ve received over the past year and they are gearing up emotionally, as much as possible, for the sad remembrance day.

“I know (Monday) will be extremely painful, and we will do our best to get through,” Goncalves wrote. “Right now, I ask that everyone lifts us up in prayer…We are all missing Kaylee and Maddie so much. Even though it has been almost a year, it still feels like it just happened.”

Madison Mogen’s mother, Karen Laramie, lost her only child in the attack. A close family friend who lives in Asotin shared memories of the UI college student in a text to the Tribune.

“A year gone by and every day presents a new challenge,” said 18-year-old Cierra Gayton. “There isn’t a day that passes where we don’t miss Maddie or don’t think about her. She is one of a kind and will now forever be our guardian angel.”

Kernodle’s sister, Jazzmin Kernodle, honored Xana online shortly before what would have been her 21st birthday.

“(Xana) had the most love for living each day to the fullest, creating memories, gaining new experiences, being silly, and of course, all those who surrounded her,” Jazzmin wrote.

In Moscow, a student-led candlelight vigil is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Monday on the administration lawn on the UI campus. Folks across the country, especially members of the Vandal family, are encouraged to turn on their porch lights from 6-7 p.m. Monday in solidarity, according to a recent news release.

“It is important that the students lead this effort toward healing,” said Tanner McClain, president of the UI associated students. “We want to ensure we continue to tell their stories, to honor their legacy and to provide a place where each student can heal. Together we are moving forward.”

Several sorority and fraternity members are speaking at the event. Each speaker represents the Greek chapters associated with the victims.

As the date of the shocking incident nears, Gayton said her goal is to live how her longtime childhood friend would have wanted. Their mothers remain close friends, and she has many fond memories of spending time with Maddie.

Gayton said she believed the loss would get easier as time passed, but the grief is still intense. Instead, each day without seeing Maddie’s face or hearing her laugh seems to get more difficult.

However, “(Maddie) wouldn’t want us to live in sadness, but to live the life she wasn’t able to fulfill,” Gayton said in a text approved by Mogen’s mother. “God has a way for everything, and what has made me able to get up every day is knowing that she is still with me, no matter what, and everything in this world happens for a reason…So many people have so much love for Maddie and Kaylee, even people who didn’t know them.”

Several fundraisers for the families and foundations in the victims’ names have been set up to provide scholarships to UI students. The house where the horrific crimes occurred remains standing, at this time, at 1122 King Road.

Ethan, a triplet, was from western Washington, and his two siblings still attend UI. The other three victims, who were roommates, moved to Moscow from the Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene areas.

“We continue to look for the good in each day — to rise and put our best foot forward and, most importantly, to focus all of our energy on Maizie and Hunter,” Stacy Chapin wrote. “They deserve the best this world has to offer — actually, we all do.”

Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old Pennsylvania native, remains in custody of the Latah County Jail on four counts of first-degree homicide and first-degree burglary for the stabbing deaths on Nov. 13, 2022.

At his arraignment in May, District Court Judge John Judge entered a not-guilty plea on Kohberger’s behalf. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson has said he intends to seek the death penalty in this case, which stunned the entire nation and drew worldwide attention.

Kohberger was a graduate student studying criminology at Washington State University. He was arrested in December at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania and flown back to Idaho to face his charges.

Attorney Anne Taylor, of Kootenai County, is leading his defense team. No trial date has been set.

Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com. You can follow her on X at newsfromkerri.