1122 King Road: Inside The Idaho Murders House & Demolition

Can a place truly be erased from memory, or does the very act of trying to forget only cement its place in our collective consciousness? The demolition of 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, the site of the horrific murders of four University of Idaho students, has sparked a national conversation about grief, remembrance, and the complex relationship between place and tragedy.

The house, a three-story structure known primarily as a student rental, became a focal point of national attention following the brutal stabbings that claimed the lives of Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen in November 2022. Located at 1122 King Road, Moscow, ID 83843, the six-bedroom, three-bathroom home, normally a hub of student life, instantly transformed into a haunting symbol of unimaginable loss. Now, thirteen months after the crime that shook the nation, the house has been reduced to rubble, a decision that has ignited passionate debate among the victims' families, the local community, and the wider public.

The timeline of events on the night of the murders paints a chilling picture. The two surviving roommates returned to 1122 King Road around 1:00 AM. Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, who were dating, arrived later, approximately at 1:45 AM, after attending a sorority party. What transpired inside the house between those early morning hours and the discovery of the crime remains a source of intense scrutiny and investigation. Police found the bodies of two victims on the second floor and the other two on the third floor of the home.

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The decision to demolish the house was met with mixed reactions. University of Idaho officials stated that the demolition was intended to help the healing process for the community and prevent the site from becoming a macabre tourist attraction. "It is the grim reminder of the heinous act that took place," the university announced, emphasizing the desire to move forward. However, the families of Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle publicly objected to the demolition, arguing that the house should have been preserved as evidence for the upcoming trial. In a statement, the Goncalves and Kernodle families asserted the importance of allowing a jury to view the scene of the crime firsthand.

The demolition process itself was swift and decisive. On a Thursday morning, Moscow police officers stood guard as a working crew began dismantling the structure. A red Hitachi digger moved in before dawn, and within 90 minutes, Idaho's most infamous building was reduced to rubble. Debris was hauled away in trucks, erasing the physical structure from the landscape.

Prior to its destruction, records of the schematics of the property at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, were obtained by DailyMail.com, revealing the layout of the building and the location of each bedroom where the four victims were found. These schematics provided a grim visual representation of the crime scene, further fueling public interest and speculation.

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The property itself, a 3,120 sq ft single-family home, had a Zestimate of $484,500 at the time of demolition, reflecting a significant increase in value in the preceding month. The rent Zestimate was $3,411/mo, also showing a substantial increase. This surge in estimated value, even in the wake of such a tragedy, underscores the complexities of the real estate market and the enduring demand for housing in the area. 1122 King Road, more than just an address, was a space that once held lives, hopes, and dreams. The home offered six bedrooms and three bathrooms, a common configuration for student housing in the area. In its final state, it was boarded up, a silent testament to the violence that had occurred within its walls. A general view of the house on Sunday, May 21, 2023, showed a structure marked by tragedy, a stark contrast to its original purpose as a student residence.

The history of the property stretches back decades. County records indicate that Cumer L. Green purchased the property at 1122 King Road on June 20, 1967. An obituary from 2001 reveals that Cumer Green graduated from the University of Idaho in 1963. Decades later, the family of C. Scott Green, the president of the University of Idaho, owned the property, connecting the site to the institution in more ways than one.

The area surrounding 1122 King Road is primarily residential, characterized by a mix of single-family homes and student rentals. A map of the area reveals that several properties near 1122 King Road have been purchased by an investment company, raising questions about future development and the changing landscape of the neighborhood. Residents can use heat maps to assess crime rates, available amenities, and other neighborhood information, offering a glimpse into the community surrounding the site of the tragedy.

In the immediate aftermath of the murders, Moscow police officers maintained a constant presence outside the house at 1122 King Road during the homicide investigation, which commenced on Sunday, November 13, 2022. Tyson Berrett, a spokesperson for the police department, initially stated that authorities did not have a suspect. The investigation, led by the Moscow Police Department with the assistance of state and federal agencies, has been one of the most high-profile and closely followed cases in recent history.

The impact of the tragedy extended far beyond the immediate community. A lightly moderated discussion board emerged online for University of Idaho students to process their grief and share information related to the King Road murders. The online forum became a space for students to connect, express their emotions, and seek support during an incredibly difficult time.

Speculation and rumors inevitably swirled online in the wake of the murders. One narrative that emerged on the internet involved Emily Alandt, who reportedly lived in the 1122 King Road house the year before and was friends with Xana and Dylan, and possibly some of the other victims. Alandt was allegedly dating a man named Hunter Johnson, adding another layer of complexity to the already intricate web of relationships connected to the case. Whether or not these connections are relevant to the investigation remains unclear, but they highlight the pervasive nature of rumors and speculation in the age of social media.

The reactions to the demolition of 1122 King Road have been as varied as the individuals affected by the tragedy. Some see it as a necessary step towards healing and closure, a way to reclaim the space from the darkness that has enveloped it. Others view it as a premature act that could potentially hinder the pursuit of justice. Still others believe that the demolition is a symbolic erasure of the victims' lives and a denial of the profound impact the tragedy has had on the community.

The debate surrounding the demolition of 1122 King Road raises fundamental questions about how we, as a society, grapple with trauma, memory, and justice. Can a physical space ever truly be cleansed of the pain and suffering that has occurred within its walls? Or does the act of attempting to erase the past only serve to amplify its power? These are questions that will continue to be debated and discussed long after the rubble of 1122 King Road has been cleared away.

Ultimately, the story of 1122 King Road is not just about a house or a crime. It is a story about the lives that were lost, the families that were shattered, and the community that was forever changed. It is a story about the enduring power of grief, the complexities of justice, and the enduring human need to find meaning and hope in the face of unimaginable tragedy. As we move forward, it is crucial to remember the victims Xana, Ethan, Kaylee, and Maddie and to honor their memories by working towards a future where such senseless violence is no longer a part of our reality. Rest in peace xana, ethan, kaylee, and maddie.