Madison Mogen, who went by Maddie, was a senior from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, who was majoring in marketing. Her grandmother, Kim Cheeley, said Ms. Mogen had always been a gentle and caring person who kept many long-term friendships and close ties with an extended family.
Ms. Mogen’s boyfriend, Jake Schriger, said she had been excited for graduation and talked about wanting to explore other parts of the world. Ms. Mogen always spread positivity and brought acts of kindness to others, Mr. Schriger said, adding that he hoped people would remember her for the love she had given to others.
“There’s no words that I can really describe her — how amazing she was and how wonderful of a person she was,” Mr. Schriger said.
Kaylee Goncalves, who was from Rathdrum, Idaho, had been set to graduate early in December and planned to move to Austin, Texas, with one of her close friends in June. The friend, Jordyn Quesnell, said Ms. Goncalves had secured a position with a marketing firm and was excited to explore more of the country.
“We wanted that adventure,” Ms. Quesnell said. “I would be like, ‘Let’s go do this,’ and she’d be like, ‘Down!’”
Alivea Goncalves said her younger sister and Ms. Mogen had served as bridesmaids for her wedding. Her sister, she said, still shared a dog with her former boyfriend, and the two had seemed likely to get back together.
Ethan Chapin, from Conway, Wash., was one of a set of triplets and had spent much of Nov. 12, the day before the killings, with both of his siblings, who are also University of Idaho students, their mother, Stacy Chapin, said. In the evening, they all attended a dance together held by his sister’s sorority, she said.
“My kids are very thankful that it was time well spent with him,” Ms. Chapin said. “He was literally the life of the party. He made everybody laugh. He was just the kindest person.”
Mr. Chapin played basketball in high school and was known by friends and family members for always having a big smile, ever since he was a baby. Ms. Chapin described her son as “just the brightest light.”
Xana Kernodle grew up in Idaho but spent time in Arizona in recent years, according to an interview that her father, Jeffrey Kernodle, gave to an Arizona TV station.
Mr. Kernodle told the station that his daughter was strong-willed and had enjoyed having an independent life in college.
He said his daughter had apparently tried to fight her attacker, an account backed up by Cathy Mabbutt, the coroner. Mr. Kernodle expressed shock that his daughter could be killed while at home with friends and said that he, too, had no idea who could have committed the attacks.
“She was with her friends all the time,” Mr. Kernodle said.
Source: www.nytimes.com
