University of Idaho Murders, 1 Year Later: Key Things that Have Happened Since (2024)

One year ago, on Nov. 13, 2022, four promising University of Idaho students were brutally killed in an off-campus house in Moscow.

Authorities say Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Maddie Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were stabbed to death on the second and third floors of the home where the women lived with two other roommates and where Ethan was staying the night with his girlfriend Xana.

For nearly seven weeks, authorities searched for a suspect while the small Idaho community stayed on high alert — until finally, there was a break in the case.

Here’s everything that has happened in the case one year after the murders that shocked the nation.

Nov. 30, 2023: Vigil Held for Slain Students While Authorities Search for Leads

Loved ones and fellow students gathered at the University of Idaho to remember the four young lives lost while authorities continued the search for a suspect. Ethan's mother Stacy Chapin, Kaylee's father Steve Goncalves and Maddie's father Ben Mogen spoke about their children with hundreds of people in attendance.

Stacy spoke about Ethan's vibrant social life and close relationship with his siblings.

"Make sure you spend as much time as possible with those people, because time is precious, and it's something you can't get back," Stacy said during the vigil.

Steve took the stage with his wife and Kaylee's mother, Kristi Goncalves, standing next to him. He spoke about Kaylee and her best friend Maddie.

"They went to high school together, then they started looking at colleges," Steve said. "They came here together. They eventually get into the same apartment together. And, in the end, they died together. In the same room, in the same bed."

Steve said their friendship had given their family strength since the students' killings. "It's a shame and it hurts, but the beauty of the two always being together comforts us," he said.

Maddie's father Ben spoke about her lively social life, good grades and love of music. He called her "such a great kid and a perfect little baby."

Xana's family could not attend, the dean of students said during the vigil, but he noted that Xana was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. In a tribute on the Pi Beta Phi's Instagram page, the sorority called her "a magnet for positive energy [who] always radiated that energy back into the world."

The sorority described Maddie — who was also a member of the chapter — as "passionate about every aspect of her life."

Dec. 30, 2022: Suspect Arrested in Pennsylvania

Nearly seven weeks after the killings, authorities announced that a suspect — Bryan Kohberger — was arrested at his parents’ Pennsylvania home, located more than 2,500 miles from the crime scene.

After news broke of the 28-year-old’s arrest, it was learned that Kohberger was visiting family for the holidays when he was detained, but was residing in Washington State at the time of the murders. He was listed as a PhD student at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology on the school’s website. The university is located eight miles away from the 1122 King Road residence in Moscow, Idaho, where the four students were killed.

Ethan’s family later released a statement about the arrest, saying, "We are relieved this chapter is over because it provides a form of closure ... However, it doesn't alter the outcome or alleviate the pain. We miss Ethan, and our family is forever changed."

On Jan. 4, Kohberger was transported to Idaho.

Jan. 5., 2023: Bryan Kohberger Is Charged; Probable Cause Affidavit Released

Kohberger was charged with four counts of murder and one count of felony burglary in connection with the stabbing deaths of Ethan, Xana, Maddie and Kaylee.

The probable cause affidavit was also released, providing more information on the killings and the two surviving roommates who were in the house at the time of the attack.

According to the affidavit — which was previously reviewed by PEOPLE —a sheath of the knife used in the stabbings was left at the scene in the bed where Maddie and Kaylee were found deceased. On the sheath, detectives allegedly found DNA linking Kohberger to the murders and also used his cell phone pings, the affidavit states.

One of the surviving roommates also said they saw the killer, described in the affidavit as "a figure clad in black clothing and a mask," who walked past her as he left the crime scene.

At around 4:20 a.m., a white sedan referred to as "Suspect Vehicle 1" in the affidavit was seen leaving the area of the home at a high speed, the affidavit alleges. According to the document, the vehicle and phone associated with Kohberger returned to the scene between 9:12 a.m. and 9:21 a.m. that same day.

Feb. 24, 2023: University Announces House Will be Demolished

In a February 24 statement on the school's website, University of Idaho President Scott Green said that the school had acquired the home where the murders took place.

"The house will be demolished," the statement reads. "This is a healing step and removes the physical structure where the crime that shook our community was committed. Demolition also removes efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene. We are evaluating options where students may be involved in the future development of the property."

May 22, 2023: Not Guilty Pleas Entered for Bryan Kohberger

According to reporters in the courtroom, not guilty pleas were entered for Kohberger during his arraignment after he stood silent, meaning he exercised his right to remain silent.

A trial date was then set for Oct. 2, NBC News reported at the time, but that date was later pushed back indefinitely.

June 2023: Prosecutors Announce They Will Pursue Death Penalty

In the weeks after Kohberger's arraignment, prosecutors announced they will pursue the death penalty, alleging that Kohberger "exhibited utter disregard for human life," according to a court filing.

August 2023: Bryan Kohberger Waives His Right to a Speedy Trial

About two months before the highly anticipated trial was set to begin, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, which postponed the trial indefinitely. A new date for the trial has not been set at this time.

Oct. 18, 2023: Demolition of the House Is Paused

After the demolition of the house was first paused in July until October, a spokesperson told PEOPLE that it was once again postponed, but did not provide a reason behind the decision.

“A decision was made earlier this fall to not demolish the house this semester,” the spokesperson told PEOPLE in an email. “No date for demolition has been set.”