Demolition commenced on Thursday for the house where four University of Idaho students tragically lost their lives last year, marking a bittersweet moment for the victims' families and the close-knit community that was left shocked and devastated by the brutal stabbings.

The once vibrant atmosphere of the residential area was shattered as the sounds of construction equipment pierced the early morning air, signaling the beginning of the demolition process. An excavator started tearing down the front part of the house, reducing it to a pile of crushed and smashed wood on the ground.

The owner of the rental home, located near the university campus in Moscow, Idaho, generously donated the property to the university earlier this year. Since then, the house had been boarded up and fenced off to ensure security. The loss of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves, who were fatally stabbed in November 2022, left a profound impact on the university and the local community.

University spokesperson Jodi Walker emphasized the demolition as a pivotal step towards achieving closure. She stated that the area surrounding the house was densely populated with students who had to constantly confront the tragedy and were deeply affected by it. Walker remarked, "Many students have expressed to us how much it will help with the healing process to have that house removed."

According to contractors, the demolition process is estimated to take a few hours, with additional time needed for debris removal. Weather conditions may also impact the timeline. Once the demolition is complete, the site will be replanted with grass, but as of now, there are no further plans for the area. Walker mentioned that the university might reconsider the usage of the site in the future.

However, some of the victims' families have opposed the demolition, urging for the preservation of the house until after the accused, Bryan Kohberger, has been tried. Kohberger, a former criminology graduate student at neighboring Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, has been charged with four counts of murder.

Prosecutors communicated to university officials through email that they did not anticipate requiring the house any further, as they had already collected the necessary measurements for creating illustrative exhibits for the jury. They further stated that a jury visit to the site would not be authorized due to the "substantially different" condition of the house compared to the time of the killings.

Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves resided together in the rental home, located just across the street from the university campus. Ethan Chapin, Kernodle's boyfriend, was visiting on the night of the tragic event. All four victims were friends and members of the university's Greek system.

The demolition of the house represents a significant milestone for the university and the community, paving the way for healing and closure after a year of grief and sorrow. While differing opinions exist regarding the house's fate, it is clear that the memory of the four students will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved them.