King Road demolition still to come despite concerns

The university still plans on demolishing the King Road house where four students were murdered Nov. 13, but it’s unclear when this might occur.  

The university first announced the decision on Feb. 22 in the interest of moving forward and deterring sensationalized media. Since then, concerns have been raised relating to the ongoing case and potential benefits of a jury walkthrough.  

UI has yet to set a date for the demolition, according to UI Senior Director of Communications Jodi Walker, despite previously planning to demolish the home as soon as possible. In February, the university said the demolition could occur by the end of the semester. 

The Goncalves family attorney, Shannon Gray, said in an interview the family is not in support of demolishing the home. 

“It’s premature, you haven’t even indicted the guy,” Gray said. 

He said that the layout of the home makes it important to leave it as is, in the event the jury in an eventual trial may be compelled to visit the crime scene. The three-story house has gone through several renovations to be divided for student housing.  

While 3D renderings of the inside could be presented to a jury, Gray said the home’s demolition could be detrimental to the case.  

“It’s a whole different story, standing in the place,” he said.   

The university reached out to the families via email on March 20 to inform them of the decision to tear the house down and notify them about retrieving the victims’ personal items. 

“This communication constitutes the University’s formal notice to you of our intention to proceed with remediation and demolition as described above,” UI Acting General Counsel Kent Nelson wrote.  

Despite the Goncalves family’s protests, Gray said, the university continued the process. 

In a follow-up email on April 12, the university told the families that the court and defense counsel both approved the house demolition. 

“I have received replies back from both prosecutor and defense counsel indicating that they have no objection to demolition of the King Road house,” Nelson wrote. “As a result, it is our plan to proceed.” 

Latah County Court declined requests for an interview citing the related gag order. 

Gray said he wished that UI had better communication with the Goncalves family overall, “I don’t know how much (the university is) listening.” 

“Further communication of concerns” prompted Nelson to follow up. 

“Out of an abundance of caution, I am sending a communication to prosecution and defense counsel in the criminal proceeding asking them to indicate whether either of the parties has an objection,” he wrote. 

In an April 5 response to the university, Kootenai County Public Defender Anne Taylor thanked the university for the opportunity to do another walkthrough, noting that the defense had no objection to the demolition. Taylor is representing suspect Bryan Kohberger in the case. 

Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson responded to the university on April 6, detailing why a jury walkthrough does not seem appropriate.  

 “The scene has been substantially altered from its condition at the home of the homicides including removal of relevant property and furnishings, removal of some structural items such as wallboard and flooring, and subjected to extensive chemical application creating a potential health hazard,” Thompson wrote.  

Nelson let the victims’ families know that requests for retrieving any remaining personal items from the home would need to be communicated by April 20. Most items had already been removed by law enforcement.  

After the Nov. 13 murders of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, numerous media outlets swarmed the already crowded streets of King Road.  

UI senior Nakell Higbee lives on the street and isn’t surprised that UI plans to demolish the home.   

“I figured that they’re probably also waiting for all of the students to go home so that there are less people around here, and they’ll do it (then),” Higbee said. “They’ve boarded up all the windows and doors, and they’ve got fences everywhere with no trespassing signs.”  

King Road resident and UI senior Tony Murillo supports demolishing the home. He hopes that the university finds a way to honor the students in that space.   

“That neighborhood now has a heavier atmosphere, thick connotation to it, and I think the big debate people are going to have is, ‘do you still feel comfortable living in that neighborhood?’” Murillo asked. “Having some form of memorial would make people comfortable living there.” 

Both Higbee and Murillo felt that media attention was making the healing process more difficult over time, especially in the days immediately following the murders.    

“When it was at the height of everything, it was pretty gnarly, I’m not gonna lie,” Higbee said. “I would have to crash through people’s cameras just to get to my classes.” 

Even after fall break, the presence of the media was still overwhelming. 

“While I understand that they were just trying to do their job, I feel like it wasn’t approached in the most ethical and respectful manner,” Higbee said.  

Murillo had direct interactions with the press that made him uncomfortable.  

“A lot of the questionable reporters were very intrusive, very bothersome and would ask and say very distasteful things,” Murillo said. “It was almost like a spectacle.” 

Looking into the next school year, Higbee isn’t in a position to find alternative housing and will continue to live on King Road. With Murillo’s lease ending, he plans to find a different place in town.  

“It’s a luxury that I have, and a lot of students don’t have,” Murillo said. “But for me, it’s good to be leaving, and it’s good to move on.”  

Haadiya Tariq and Daniel V. Ramirez can be reached at [email protected]