One year ago, on Nov. 13 four students from the University of Idaho – Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves – were murdered in the early hours of the morning in their house in Moscow.
Their deaths sent shockwaves through the hearts of the Moscow community and the university, leaving behind a lasting wound that, as the one-year anniversary approaches, is poised to be reopened.
On Nov. 13, there will be a student-led candlelight vigil on the lawn of the admin building at 6:00 p.m. to honor and commemorate the lives of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen. Four students will speak at the event in memory of the fallen students. Each are representatives of a Greek chapter with which the victims were associated. The event is open to all. The Vandal Family across the state and beyond is encouraged to turn on their porch lights from 6-7 p.m. Pacific time in solidarity.
Tanner McClain, the president of ASUI, is aware of the coming anniversary, and what it entails.
“We are entering into a time that is going to be difficult for a lot of members of our community and a lot of our students. Nov. 13 and the coming trial will be a very difficult time for Moscow and UI,” McClain said.
McClain shared how one year ago he witnessed the community come together to help each other through the grief they were experiencing. Students and alumni came together to help each other and to be there for one another. University leadership was making large efforts to ensure the physical and mental well-being of students, according to McClain.
“If there is one positive outcome from this terrible, senseless, and unimaginable tragedy, it’s that the Vandal Family has remained strong,” McClain said.
McClain also explained there should be no shame or stigma against counseling or grieving.
“I strongly encourage students to reach out if they need someone to talk to. You are not alone. The Vandal family is here for them. This is not a time to be spent alone. This is a time to be spent with others,” McClain said.
McClain also shared how impressed he was with how the community has carried on from the tragedy.
“Nevertheless, our community is carrying on in a positive direction. This past semester has been lively and engaging. Students have had a positive outlook on being here at the University of Idaho,” McClain said.
Dr. Blaine Eckles, the Dean of Students for UI, also shared how impressed he was with the student body in the wake of the homicides.
“I am nothing but impressed about how our students have responded over the last year. They have really set a standard of what it means to care, what it means to be a member of the vandal family,” Eckles said.
Eckles is the chair of the Vandal healing garden committee. The healing garden is a project to honor all Vandals who have passed away while enrolled at the UI. The healing garden will also include a memorial to Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen.
“We’ve raised over $200,000 for the Vandal healing garden and memorial. We don’t have a budget for it yet because we don’t know what it will look like yet, but we are anticipating that we are going to need more. We are still accepting donations, and people can donate by going to the healing garden website,” Eckles said.
Students have been the central focus of the healing garden project, with landscaping and architecture students working on designs for the healing garden. There are no official designs yet, but the committee is still collecting information and drafting designs.
As the anniversary approaches, many students may still have a difficult time emotionally, especially students who were friends or families of the victims.
“We have the one-year anniversary coming up and the trial, and that creates a sense of anxiety that I know many students still feel,” Eckles said.
McClain suggests that the best way to deal with these difficult feelings is to be with friends and family.
“On the upcoming anniversary of last year’s tragedy, be with those you love,” McClain said.
Looking forward, McClain is also confident that the university and its students will remain strong and be able to carry on.
“Our students will carry on strong because of the support from our peers, alumni, university leadership, and other members from the vandal family. We will carry on through these next couple of difficult months,” McClain said.
Ben DeWitt can be reached at [email protected] or on X @BenDeWitt123