The home where four University of Idaho students were brutally stabbed to death in 2022 will be demolished next week, after the defense team for the suspect in the grisly murders completes an inspection of the property.
In a statement released on Thursday, the university said that Bryan Kohberger’s defense team was given access to the house on Thursday and Friday, after which crews will begin preparations for the demolition.
The defense team told the university it would “take photographs, measurements and possibly gather drone footage of the house.”
The FBI had access to the property in late October “to gather additional data,” including scanning that will allow investigators “to create visual aids that could be used in the trial.”
Kohberger is charged with breaking into the house early in the morning of November 13, 2022, and stabbing Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves. Two other roommates were present at the house but were not attacked.
Goncalves’ family opposed the demolition of the house, as CrimeOnline reported, and claimed other victims’ families did as well, but only an attorney for the Goncalveses spoke publicly about it.
The university has planned to tear the house down since its previous owner donated it to the school in early 2023.
“It is the grim reminder of the heinous act that took place there,” university President Scott Green said. “While we appreciate the emotional connection some family members of the victims may have to this house, it is time for its removal and to allow the collective healing of our community to continue.”
The demolition is set to begin on December 28 and will take several days to complete. The university said that attorneys, investigators, and law enforcement personnel will have no comment about the demolition because of the strict gag order in place.
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[Featured image: FILE – AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File]