‘She loved her dog and enjoyed EDM music’: Tribute paints 'sweet' picture of slain Idaho student Xana Kernodle
This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.
MOSCOW, IDAHO: Law enforcement has yet to identify the suspect(s) who brutally murdered four University of Idaho students. In the early morning hours of November 13, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, and Ethan Chapin were stabbed to death in an off-campus three-story rented home. Weeks after their murder, an obituary for Kernodle paints a beautiful picture of who the student was.
"Xana was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, at Kootenai Health Hospital on July 5, 2002. Xana grew up in Post Falls and was a talented gymnast as a child. She attended Post Falls Middle and High School, where she played volleyball, track and soccer until she graduated in 2020. During high school she worked at Texas Roadhouse and went on to attend the University of Idaho, where she majored in marketing and was an active member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and the Vandal Solutions Sales Team. When she wasn't participating in these activities, she was working at her part-time job at Mad Greek Restaurant in Moscow, Idaho," the tribute reads.
READ MORE
'Why no reward?' Internet wonders if University of Idaho students' murderer is 'already in custody'
"Xana loved her dog, Shoeshine, enjoyed EDM music, going to concerts, spending time with her friends and going on family trips with her sister and father. When she was little she loved spending time on her grandma and grandpa's farm and summers at the river," it continued. "Xana was someone who was loved dearly by her family, friends and classmates. She was a very positive and outgoing person who went out of her way to make everyone feel welcome. Her desire to live life to the fullest and contagious sense of humor has made a lasting impression on all those who knew her. Xana was just starting to become the woman she was destined to be, and the world will be a lesser place without her."
Social media reacted to the heartwarming tribute, with one user saying on Reddit, "Such a sweet, lovely, elegant, artistic, and unique aura about her. It’s such a tragedy her life was robbed from her. Makes me so sad. Growing older is such a privilege, makes me want to hug my parents harder tonight and thank them for everything and makes me stop complaining about turning 31. It’s just so unfair. I hope they catch that SOB and he gets the maximum penalty." Another said, "She sounds just like my best friend in college, down to the marketing group she was a part of and the waitressing jobs. It’s heartbreaking to think of how much she had left to give the world. RIP Xana". One user wrote, "All of the victims seemed wonderful, but something about Xana’s smile just radiates warmth. May she RIP and may LE get her justice."
Kernodle is reportedly survived by her father Jeff, her mother Cara Northington, sister Jazzmin and brother Elija. An Idaho campus vigil was reportedly held on November where parents of the three other victims turned up but no one came to pay tribute to Kernodle.
Discussing the same, a user wrote on Reddit, "Her dad lives in Arizona. All of the other parents live in Idaho. People grieve differently. There are a million reasons why he might not be there. Respectfully, don't put this on her soul. I can't imagine anyone who would want to be remembered with pity after they are gone. Her dad and sister clearly love her very much. They've said that multiple times. She has an entire family mentioned in her obituary who love her too as well as tons of friends." Another said, "You never know, maybe her family had a reason they didn't want anything said. I'm sure she's being grieved and honored by her family even if it's not in the public eye." One user said, "It is sad no one was there but everyone grieves differently. Kaylee’s sister immediately jumped into action but Maddie’s mom has stayed out of the limelight."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.