University of Idaho Murder Victims Honored by Friends on Their Wedding Day

Emily Alandt and Hunter Johnson, who were among the first to discover the crime scene where four University of Idaho students were murdered, honored two of the victims on their wedding day. The couple, who were married in Boise, included a sign among their wedding decor that paid tribute to Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, both 20.

The sign read, "You are with us today and everyday," and also honored another friend, Katie Marshall. Stacy Chapin, Ethan's mother, shared a photo of the tribute on social media, alongside pictures of her family and the newlyweds.

Alandt and Johnson were asked by another roommate, Dylan Mortensen, to check on the house at 1122 King Road in Moscow on November 13, 2022, after Mortensen reported hearing strange noises. Johnson was the first to enter the home and discovered the bodies of Chapin, Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen.

"As soon as you get there, you know something's wrong," Johnson told ABC News in recounting the moment of discovery. He then rushed the roommates outside and urged them to call 911. Audio from the 911 call captured the roommates' dawning realization of the severity of the situation, with Johnson eventually reporting that Kernodle was not breathing.

Johnson described Kernodle as someone who could always make others laugh, and Ethan Chapin similarly. Alandt remembered Goncalves for her constant smile, which would brighten the moods of those around her. Johnson also recalled Goncalves and Mogen being welcoming to him.

For Alandt and Johnson, the tragedy marked a loss of innocence and led them to rely on each other for support. They moved in together the following year and are now starting their married life.

Meanwhile, the legal proceedings for the accused killer, Bryan Kohberger, are ongoing. Kohberger, 31, was arrested weeks after the murders and tracked down through DNA evidence found on a knife sheath. He initially pleaded guilty in July 2025 as part of a plea deal that would have spared him the death penalty in exchange for a life sentence without parole.

However, Kohberger is now seeking to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming he is innocent and was misled by his defense team. His newly appointed attorney, Gregory Rauch, is also seeking to have the presiding judge removed from the case and to move the trial out of Ada County.

The defense argues that the judge, Steven Hippler, showed bias in his sentencing remarks, describing Kohberger as a "faceless coward" and questioning his credibility. Judge Hippler also denied a motion to delay the trial in June 2025, shortly before Kohberger entered his guilty plea. The defense contends that the judge proceeded despite their claims of not being ready and that Kohberger had difficulty comprehending the case's proceedings.

Kohberger's defense attorney Anne Taylor was previously criticized for her handling of the case, with Kohberger claiming she was ineffective and misled him into the plea agreement.