The sudden demolition of the infamous house at 1122 King Road has reignited chilling questions in the Idaho 4 case.

What really happened inside those walls on that fateful November night in 2022? If desperate screams pierced the silence, who might have heard them—and why did no one intervene? As the physical reminder vanishes, the mystery deepens, leaving families and a shaken community searching for answers that may never fully come. 💔🏚️

This isn’t closure—it’s a haunting new chapter. Read the full story now:

The abrupt razing of the off-campus house at 1122 King Road, where four University of Idaho students were brutally stabbed to death in November 2022, has stirred fresh debate and unease among victims’ families, the local community, and observers nationwide. Demolished on December 28, 2023, despite objections from some relatives who viewed it as a vital piece of evidence, the three-story residence’s removal has prompted renewed scrutiny: What truly unfolded inside during those early morning hours, and were there missed opportunities for intervention?

The victims—seniors Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Madison Mogen, 21; junior Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle’s boyfriend, freshman Ethan Chapin, 20—were found dead in the home on November 13, 2022, after suffering multiple stab wounds. Two other roommates survived the attack unharmed. Bryan Kohberger, then a criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University, was arrested weeks later and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. He pleaded not guilty initially but later entered a guilty plea in 2025, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole after the death penalty was removed from consideration.

The house, a six-bedroom rental just steps from campus, became a grim landmark following the crime. Boarded up, fenced off, and under 24-hour guard, it stood as a constant reminder of the tragedy for over a year. In February 2023, the private owner donated the property to the University of Idaho, which planned its demolition to clear the site and move forward. Initial schedules were delayed—first to allow thorough inspections by investigators, prosecutors, defense teams, and the FBI, then amid family concerns that the structure held potential evidentiary value for trial.

Despite protests from at least half the victims’ families—including Kaylee Goncalves’ relatives, who argued demolition could “destroy one of the most critical pieces of evidence”—the university proceeded. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson confirmed in late 2023 that no further use of the premises was anticipated. Demolition crews began work before dawn on December 28, 2023, completing the takedown in under two hours with heavy equipment tearing through walls and hauling debris away under police supervision.

The decision divided opinions. Supporters, including some Moscow residents, described the house as a “constant reminder” of horror that hindered healing in the tight-knit college town. One local told media it offered “a new start” for the community. Critics, however, questioned the timing, especially with Kohberger’s case still unfolding at the time. Some wondered if preserving the layout could have aided jury visualization or further forensic analysis, though officials maintained comprehensive documentation—including 3D models created by prosecutors—rendered the physical structure unnecessary.

Central questions linger about the night itself. Police timelines indicate the attacks occurred between approximately 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m., with victims found unresponsive after a 911 call from a surviving roommate at around 11:58 a.m. reporting an “unconscious person.” Autopsy reports, later unsealed, detailed extensive sharp-force injuries: Goncalves sustained 38 wounds, Mogen 28, and others similarly severe. Court filings suggest some victims may have been awake or attempted to defend themselves, raising speculation about noise and potential awareness in the home.

Surviving roommates reported hearing nothing unusual initially, though one described seeing a masked figure later identified in connection to Kohberger. A key piece of evidence—a knife sheath with Kohberger’s DNA—remained at the scene. No definitive reports confirm audible screams reaching neighbors or passersby, but the home’s layout—three stories with bedrooms on upper levels—and the late hour in a quiet residential area near campus have fueled ongoing debate. Moscow, a small university town with infrequent violent crime (no murders since 2015 prior to this), has long grappled with how the assault went undetected for hours.

The demolition has not erased public fascination or speculation. Online discussions, including on platforms like Reddit and social media, continue to probe inconsistencies: Why no immediate alarm? Could screams have been muffled or overlooked amid typical college noise? Some point to the surviving roommates’ actions post-incident, while others focus on investigative timelines. A 3D reconstruction of the house, released by prosecutors, has kept visual details alive, showing room-by-room layouts frozen in time.

For the victims’ families, the loss of the house represents another layer of grief. While some welcomed its removal as a step toward closure, others felt it prematurely erased a tangible link to their loved ones’ final moments. Memorials persist on the now-vacant lot—flowers, teddy bears, and notes honoring the four young lives cut short.

Kohberger’s guilty plea in 2025 brought some resolution, but motive remains elusive. Investigators have not publicly identified a clear reason for the targeted attack, leaving families and the public to wonder about the “why” behind the horror.

As the empty lot stands where 1122 King Road once did, the case endures as one of the most scrutinized in recent memory. The demolition may have removed bricks and walls, but it has amplified calls for transparency and understanding. In Moscow and beyond, the questions persist: What really happened that night, and could anything have changed the outcome?

The University of Idaho has expressed commitment to supporting students and the community through counseling and remembrance initiatives. The tragedy continues to prompt discussions on campus safety, mental health resources, and the lasting impact of violent crime in small-town America.