Demolished Idaho home buried to prevent souvenir hunting
Liz Jassin
(NewsNation) — NewsNation has learned exclusively that after the University of Idaho house was demolished, the remaining pieces of the home were taken to a solid processing facility and buried deep underground, due to concern that some people would try to take souvenirs.
The University of Idaho made the decision to demolish the house, where four college students were killed. It was a decision that has set off a lot of emotions, especially since accused killer Bryan Kohberger’s trial date has been delayed.
Shanon Gray, the lawyer for the families of victims Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen and Xana Kernodle, told “CUOMO” on Tuesday that seeing the house come down was a “gut punch.”
“I didn’t realize that I would react to it so strongly, but watching it was hard. So very emotional … seeing that house come down,” Gray said.
Heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were fatally stabbed there in November 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were fatally stabbed there in November 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were fatally stabbed there in November 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Police officers look on as heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
A worker rakes debris during a pause in the use of heavy equipment to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
A stuffed animal, candles, and flowers are shown at the curb as heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Sunlight breaks through trees as a piece of heavy equipment goes up on one track as it works to demolish the final pieces of the foundation of the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were fatally stabbed there in November 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Sunlight breaks through trees as heavy equipment works to demolish the final pieces of the foundation of the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were fatally stabbed there in November 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Heavy equipment works to demolish the final pieces of the foundation of the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were fatally stabbed there in November 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
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The university said that the house served as a painful reminder for students on campus, despite family members of the victims arguing that the house could be a crucial piece of evidence.
Gray said that the line of communication between the prosecution and the families of the victims have “always been pretty poor.”
“When I spoke with Steve and Kristi (Goncalves), it was a long day seeing that. So very emotional for Steve and Kristi seeing that house come down,” Gray added.
Kohberger is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. They were stabbed to death in November 2022.
Kohberger entered a not guilty plea in May of 2023. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case.
For the latest on the Idaho college killings case, click here. For a full case summary, click here.
