Idaho Murders Victims: In November 2022, the small college town of Moscow, Idaho, was shaken by a tragedy that captured the nation’s attention. Four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were brutally murdered in an off-campus home. Their lives, full of promise and joy, were cut short, leaving behind grieving families, friends, and a community searching for answers. This article is a tribute to these young individuals, exploring who they were, the impact of their loss, and the legacy they leave behind.
Table of Contents
Who Were the Victims?
The four victims were vibrant, beloved students at the University of Idaho, each with unique dreams and personalities. Kaylee Goncalves, 21, was a senior majoring in general studies and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. Known for her loyalty and fierce support for her friends, Kaylee had plans to move to Austin, Texas, after graduation. Madison “Maddie” Mogen, also 21, was a marketing major and a Pi Beta Phi sorority member. She and Kaylee had been inseparable since sixth grade, sharing a bond that was like sisterhood. Xana Kernodle, 20, was a junior studying marketing and a member of Pi Beta Phi. Described as the life of the party, Xana’s infectious energy lit up any room. Ethan Chapin, 20, was a sophomore majoring in recreation, sport, and tourism management. A member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, Ethan was known for his kind heart and ability to make anyone smile. He was dating Xana, and their love was a source of joy for those around them.
The Night of the Tragedy
On the night of November 12, 2022, Kaylee and Madison had been out at a local sports bar, while Xana and Ethan attended a Sigma Chi fraternity party. By 2 a.m., all four were back at the three-story rental house on King Road, where Kaylee, Madison, and Xana lived with two other roommates. Sometime between 4:00 and 4:25 a.m. on November 13, a masked intruder entered the home through a sliding glass door and stabbed the four students to death. The surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, were home but unharmed. Mortensen later reported seeing a masked figure but was too terrified to act immediately, a response attributed to shock and trauma. The 911 call wasn’t made until nearly noon, as the roommates initially thought the situation might not be as dire as it was.
The Investigation and Arrest
The Moscow Police Department, with support from the Idaho State Police and FBI, launched a massive investigation. For weeks, the community lived in fear as no suspect was named. The breakthrough came when DNA on a knife sheath left at the scene was traced to Bryan Kohberger, a criminology PhD student at nearby Washington State University. Cell phone data showed Kohberger’s phone near the victims’ home multiple times before the murders, and his white Hyundai Elantra was spotted on surveillance footage. Arrested on December 30, 2022, in Pennsylvania, Kohberger initially pleaded not guilty but later accepted a plea deal on July 2, 2025, admitting to the murders to avoid the death penalty. On July 23, 2025, he was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without parole, plus 10 years for burglary.
The Community’s Response
The murders stunned Moscow, a town that hadn’t seen a homicide since 2015. The University of Idaho canceled classes, and a candlelight vigil was held to honor the victims. In 2024, the university opened the Vandal Healing Garden, a memorial to Kaylee, Madison, Xana, and Ethan. Scholarships were established in the names of Kernodle, Chapin, and Mogen, ensuring their legacies live on. The demolition of the King Road house in December 2023 was controversial, with some families, like the Goncalveses, arguing it was critical evidence. Despite the pain, the community rallied to support the families, showing the strength of small-town bonds.
A Lasting Legacy
The loss of Kaylee, Madison, Xana, and Ethan left an unfillable void, but their memories endure through the stories shared by loved ones. Ethan’s triplet siblings, Hunter and Maizie, spoke of his warmth in the documentary One Night in Idaho: The College Murders. Maddie’s parents found solace in the plea deal, while Kaylee’s family sought more answers. These young lives, though tragically short, touched countless others with their kindness and spirit. As we remember them, we’re reminded to cherish every moment with those we love, just as Ethan’s mother, Stacy, urged at a vigil: “Time is precious, and it’s something you can’t get back.”