Following the tragic quadruple homicide at the University of Idaho in 2022, Karen Laramie, the mother of victim Madison Mogen, has broken her silence. Mogen, along with her best friend Kaylee Goncalves, roommate Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle's boyfriend Ethan Chapin, were brutally stabbed to death in their house near the U of I campus on November 13, 2022.
Laramie shared fond memories of her daughter, describing her as a joy in her younger years and a genuinely kind person in adulthood. She recalled moments of Mogen's kindness, such as calling her cousin on Veterans Day to express gratitude for his service.
Two years after the tragedy, the families of Mogen, Goncalves, and Kernodle established the Made With Kindness Foundation. This non-profit organization aims to provide scholarship funds, grief wellness seminars, and on-campus safety awareness programs in memory of the victims.
Additionally, Chapin's family launched Ethan’s Smile foundation, which will offer scholarships to students from Skagit Valley, Washington, to attend the University of Idaho.
The alleged perpetrator, Bryan Kohbegerger, a former Ph.D. student studying criminology at Washington State University, stands accused of the heinous crime. Despite pleading not guilty, Kohbegerger faces the death penalty if convicted. The trial, initially delayed due to legal challenges, is now scheduled for August of the following year.
Laramie expressed frustration with the justice process, stating her belief that it does not prioritize the victims. However, she finds solace in the positive impact of the foundations created in honor of the victims, emphasizing the importance of channeling grief into meaningful endeavors.
