Families of slain Idaho students sue university attended by killer
The families of four University of Idaho students tragically murdered in November 2022 have filed a lawsuit against the university itself, alleging significant security failures that contributed to the deaths. The victims—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were killed in a off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho, by Bryan Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at the university at the time. The lawsuit argues that the university failed to take necessary precautions to protect its students despite a pattern of concerning incidents in the area. It claims the institution was aware of the rising danger but did not implement adequate safety measures, such as securing the off-campus housing or providing sufficient warnings to students. The legal action seeks to hold the administration accountable for what plaintiffs call gross negligence. This development adds another layer of tragedy to a case that has shaken the small college town and sparked nationwide conversations about campus safety and the responsibilities of higher education institutions. The plaintiffs are seeking damages and hope this lawsuit will force systemic changes to prevent future tragedies. Kohberger, who is currently awaiting trial, was arrested in Pennsylvania months after the brutal stabbings. The connection between his status as a student and the victims has made the university's role a focal point of investigation and public scrutiny.
