The mother of Madison Mogen, one of the four students killed at an apartment near the University of Idaho two years ago, has opened up about grappling with the loss of her daughter as she enshrines her legacy in a new foundation to help other students.
The quadruple homicide in November 2022 shocked the nation and ignited discourse over 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 charged with murdering the four students, and after years of legal wrangling his trial is expected to take place in the summer. He could face the death penalty if he is convicted.
Karen Laramie, Mogen's mother, spoke about her grief in an exclusive interview on NBC’s “TODAY” show Wednesday.
“It’s real, but I know where the girls are, and faith is really the basis of how you get up every morning when you have a loss this deep,” she said.
She described her daughter in the present tense, saying, “She is amazing.” Laramie said she talks to her daughter and sees her in her dreams.
“It’s about memories and love. Sometimes I see her in dreams when she’s like a toddler, those days when they still hug you. And sometimes I see her in dreams when she’s more of an adult, and it’s always about hugs and appreciation, and it’s just beautiful,” she said.
She recalled Mogen as a “great baby” who grew up to be a “joy” as a teen.
“We were in Seattle one time, and I’m watching her as an adult, going shopping and being in these stores, and I’m like: 'You’re just so kind to everybody. Like, did we really ingrain that in you? That’s amazing,'” Laramie said. “She just had that genuine love that’s just impossible to describe.”
Last year, Chapin’s family established Ethan’s Smile to carry on his legacy.
Now, Mogen, Goncalves and Kernodle are being honored with the Made With Kindness foundation, which will partner with colleges and universities to provide scholarship funds, grief wellness seminars and comprehensive on-campus safety awareness. Laramie is on the board.
Angela Navejas, who co-founded Made With Kindness, said her daughter was best friends with Mogen.
“We just decided that we wanted to start something to be able to remember and honor the girls and kind of how they were, their optimism, empowerment, confidence. And so we just woke up one morning and said, 'Hey, let’s start a foundation in the girls' honor.' I grabbed some flowers and wrote a letter to Karen,” Navejas said.
Laramie said being on the board has given her a positive mission.
“It’s going to be really fun to be part of the scholarship committee and just watch kids read what they have to say, what’s in their hearts, and be able to give them back something. The economy is horrible, like, everyone needs a helping hand,” she said. “We’re missing our kids, and to have something to put your heart into positively … there are no words.”
Kohberger was arrested in connection with the murders, and a trial is set for August. He has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and burglary.
Asked about her thoughts on how the trial hasn’t started even though two years have passed, Laramie said: “I would say that I feel like the legal system is not about the victims, and I’ll leave it at that.”