A former roommate of the University of Idaho students who were murdered broke her silence 18 months after the tragic event. Ashlin Couch, who lived with Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, revealed that her last message to Mogen was asking if she was okay after receiving an alert about a homicide on the same road as their college house. The three girls, along with Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, were all found slaughtered in their bedrooms in November 2022 after a night out. Couch shared her shock and grief at losing her friends and the fear that gripped her during the two weeks the killer was at large.
Couch recalled how she had a sinking feeling that something was wrong when she sent the text to Mogen and received no response. Mogen and Goncalves, who were described as being like sisters, were found murdered in the same bed, while Kernodle and Chapin were killed in the next room. The thought that the murders could have happened while she was still living in the house haunted Couch, leading her to experience ongoing anxiety and fear for her safety. She has since started the Made with Kindness Foundation in honor of her friends to raise awareness about social media safety and educate students on protecting themselves in their own homes.
Despite her efforts with the foundation, Couch still struggles with the grief and loss of her friends, wishing she could have one more chance to say goodbye to Mogen. The university has since demolished the house where the murders occurred, a decision that the victims’ families believe may have eliminated potential forensic evidence. The alleged killer, Bryan Kohberger, faces multiple charges including four counts of murder, but has claimed through his lawyers that he was not at the college house during the killings, but was instead driving alone 40 minutes away. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 14 and will be held behind closed doors.
The devastating loss of Mogen, Goncalves, Kernodle, and Chapin has had a long-lasting impact on Couch, who continues to mourn her friends and struggles with the trauma of their deaths. The memories of the happy times they shared in their Moscow home have been overshadowed by the tragic end that befell them. Despite the efforts of the Made with Kindness Foundation and the ongoing legal proceedings, the closure and healing that Couch seeks remain elusive as she grapples with the senseless loss of her friends. The trauma and grief of losing those she considered family will continue to be a part of Couch’s life as she works to honor their memory and seek justice for their deaths.
