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'They were the most amazing kids': Community holds candlelight vigil for slain Idaho University students

Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21 were found murdered on Sunday, November 13

MOSCOW, IDAHO: Four students from the University of Idaho were found murdered in "an isolated, targeted attack" with an "edged weapon" last weekend. On Wednesday, hundreds of people gathered in Idaho's Coeur d’Alene for a candlelight vigil and recalled their memories with them. 

On Sunday, November 13, Ethan Chapin, 20; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21 were found dead in an apartment in Idaho, which was located near their college campus. Remembering the slain students, community members gathered at Independence Point, Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday.

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Angela Navejas, mother of Madison Mogen’s best friend Ashlin, organized the vigil and told Coeur d’Alene Press, "They were vibrant and wild, carefree and loving. We know the bright stars they were here on Earth. They are up there looking down on us. Every single one of them are the most amazing kids I’ve met in my life." 

Kirsten Rowley, who formerly worked with Kaylee Goncalves, said that she and Madison Mogen were "best friends and were inseparable," according to Coeur d’Alene Press. She added, "My heart hurts so bad for the people who lost both of them." Xana Kernodle's high school best friend remembered the 20-year-old and said, "I know if she were standing here, she would want us to remember the good times. Xana, I know you’re listening right now. I just want to tell you I love you. I always have and I always will."

Several people shared photos and videos from the vigil on Twitter. Sharing a photo from the site, one person tweeted, "Vigil tonight in Coeur d’Alene for the 4 University of Idaho students murdered Sunday #Dateline." Replying to the tweet, one said, "Scary to think that the killer is likely in that crowd." Journalist Nathan Hyun also shared several photos from the ceremony and tweeted, "A vigil for the students who were killed at the University of Idaho is underway at Independence Point in Coeur D’Alene. People here are holding candles and sharing memories of the victims."

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