The mother of University of Idaho murder victim, Madison Mogen, spoke publicly for the first time on the TODAY show since the quadruple homicide in 2022. Mogen, along with her best friend Kaylee Goncalves, roommate Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle’s boyfriend Ethan Chapin, were stabbed to death in their house just steps from the U of I campus on Nov. 13, 2022. Mogen’s mother, Karen Laramie, described her daughter as a joy in her younger years and a genuinely kind person as she grew into adulthood. Despite the deep loss, Laramie stressed the importance of faith in coping with the tragedy.
After the tragedy, Mogen’s family, along with Goncalves’ and Kernodle’s families, came together to create the Made With Kindness Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to partner with colleges and universities to provide scholarship funds, grief wellness seminars, and comprehensive on-campus safety awareness. In addition, Chapin’s family started a charitable foundation called Ethan’s Smile, which will fund scholarships for students in Skagit Valley, Washington, to attend the University of Idaho. These foundations serve as a positive way for the families to honor the memories of their loved ones.
The murder suspect, Bryan Kohberger, a 30-year-old former Ph.D. student studying criminology at Washington State University, is accused of fatally stabbing the four students. Two other roommates survived the massacre. Kohberger has pleaded not guilty to the crime, and his alleged motive remains unknown. Despite pleas of not guilty, Kohberger faces the death penalty in Idaho if convicted. His trial is scheduled for August of the following year after experiencing delays due to legal challenges.
Laramie expressed frustration with the legal process, feeling as though it is not focused on the victims. She alluded to a lack of closure in the lengthy justice process. The defense has challenged DNA evidence and warrants in the Idaho quadruple murder case, adding to the complexity of the legal proceedings. Despite the challenges, the families of the victims have found solace in creating foundations that honor the memories of Mogen, Goncalves, Kernodle, and Chapin, and provide support for students in need.
The Made With Kindness Foundation and Ethan’s Smile Foundation aim to support students through scholarships and safety awareness initiatives. These efforts aim to turn the tragic loss of the students into positive change and hope for the future. The families have found purpose and solace in their work with these foundations, channeling their grief into meaningful and impactful initiatives. Meanwhile, the legal proceedings continue as the community seeks justice for the victims and closure for their families.
As the murder trial approaches, the families of the victims continue to navigate the aftermath of the tragic loss of Mogen, Goncalves, Kernodle, and Chapin. They have come together to honor the memories of their loved ones through charitable foundations, providing support and opportunities for students in need. While the legal process has been challenging and lengthy, the families remain committed to seeking justice and ensuring that the victims’ lives are remembered and celebrated in a positive light. Kohberger’s trial, with the possibility of facing the death penalty, looms ahead as the families strive to find closure and healing in the wake of the devastating quadruple homicide.
