The mother of Madison Mogen, one of four students killed two years ago in an apartment near the University of Idaho, has opened up about struggling with the loss of her daughter as she cements her legacy in a new foundation to help other students.
The quadruple homicide in November 2022 shocked the nation and sparked discussion about safety on college campuses.
Mogen, a 21-year-old senior, was killed in the attack, along with Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20.
Bryan Kohberger, 29, is accused of murdering the four students and after years of legal wrangling, his trial is expected to take place next summer. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
Karen Laramie, Mogen’s mother, spoke about her grief in an exclusive interview on NBC’s TODAY show on Wednesday.
“It’s real, but I know where the girls are, and faith is really the foundation of how you get up every morning when you’ve suffered such a deep loss,” she said.
Describing her daughter in the present tense, she said, “She’s amazing.” Laramie said she talks to her daughter and sees her in dreams.
“It’s about memories and love. Sometimes I see her in dreams when she’s still a toddler, those days where they still hug you. And sometimes I see her in dreams when she’s more grown up, and it’s always about hugs and appreciation, and it’s just beautiful,” Laramie explained.
She remembered Mogen as an “amazing baby,” who grew up to be a “joy” as a teenager.
“We were in Seattle once and I saw her as an adult, going shopping and being in these stores, and I thought, ‘You’re just so nice to everyone. Did we really get that into your head? That’s great,” Laramie said. “She just had that genuine love that is just impossible to describe.”
Last year, Chapin’s family founded Ethan’s Smile to continue his legacy.
Now, Maddie, Kaylee and Laramie is on the board.
Angela Navejas, co-founder of Made With Kindness, said her daughter was best friends with Mogen.
“We just decided we wanted to start something to remember and honor the girls for who they were, their optimism, empowerment and self-confidence. And so we woke up one morning and said, “Hey, let’s start a foundation in honor of the girls.” I grabbed some flowers and wrote a letter to Karen,” Navejas said.
Laramie said serving on the board has given her a positive mission.
“It will be a lot of fun to be part of the scholarship committee and see kids read what they have to say, what is in their hearts, and be able to give back to them. The economy is terrible, everyone needs a helping hand,” Laramie said. “We miss our children and to have something to put your heart into in a positive way… there are no words for that.”
Madison May.
Kohberger was arrested in connection with the college murders, and his trial date is set for August 2025. He has pleaded not guilty in the case to four counts of first-degree murder and burglary.
When asked for her opinion on the fact that the trial has not yet started even though two years have passed since the crime, Laramie said: “I would say that I feel like the justice system is not about the victims , and I’ll leave it at that. .”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
