(NewsNation) — A pair of benches, including a “Bestie Bench,” honor the University of Idaho students killed in November 2022.
The benches overlook Lake Coeur d’Alene, where victims Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle frequented, according to the Idaho Statesman.
“We loved Maddie, Kaylee and Xana, and I believe that these benches will be a positive space for all of us to go,” said Angela Navejas, founder of Made with Kindness Foundation, a nonprofit honoring the women.
The bench honoring Kernodle has a plaque that reads “One of the most important things you can do in life, is enjoy the ride, not the destination.” The “Bestie Bench” honors best friends Mogen and Goncalves, which includes the quote “#Itsaforeverthing,” Navejas told the Statesman.
Student Ethan Chapin, Kernodle’s boyfriend, was the fourth victim in the homicides.
The four friends — Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin — were stabbed to death in their shared home in Moscow in November 2022.
Bryan Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania at his parents’ house after weeks of investigation, and flown back to Idaho to face murder charges. He is accused of breaking into the student’s off-campus apartment and fatally stabbing them.
Since he didn’t verbalize one in court, a judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, and victims’ families say the legal process has moved painfully slow for them.
The judge postponed Kohberger’s trial from June to August of 2025.
The trial is now scheduled to begin Aug. 11, 2025, according to the order filed earlier this month. A hearing for arguments on motions challenging the death penalty remains on the court’s calendar for November.
NewsNation’s Devan Markham contributed to this report.