MOSCOW, Idaho – A somber remembrance ceremony took place in Moscow on Wednesday as hundreds of students and community members gathered to honor four students who were tragically murdered two years ago.
The ceremony was held at the Vandal Healing Garden, where attendees lit candles and wrote notes to remember Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Maddie Mogen.
Martha Smith, ASUI President, expressed the difficulty of the past two years. “I don’t think that there’s words to describe what those last couple of years have felt like,” she said.
Despite the tragedy, Smith noted the strength of the community. “You know the negative attributes to come out are pretty clear and apparent, but the positives surrounding how our community comes together and what it means to be a Vandal are some of the good parts to come out of it,” she said.
Blaine Eckles, the Dean of Students at the University of Idaho, emphasized the importance of the gathering.
“This space is for you, it is for them, it is for all of us,” he said.
The Made with Kindness Foundation, represented by Angela Navejas, Shayla Anderson and Kaitlyn Widmyer, played a significant role in the event.
Anderson described the gathering as an “amazing turnout” and appreciated being surrounded by people who shared her feelings.
Widmyer reflected on the connections formed at the event.
“We’re coming together with people who loved these people we’ve never even met before, and it’s like this invisible thread that’s sewing us all together in remembrance of them,” she said.
Eckles added, “it’s heartwarming to see so many people here in community, remembering four very treasured Vandals.”
As the community continues to heal, the trial against Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the murders, is scheduled to start on Aug. 11.
Until then, the Vandal family remains united and strong.
