MOSCOW, Idaho — It has been two years since four University of Idaho students were killed.
A community garden on campus is helping shine a light on their memory, with a student-organized vigil held Wednesday evening.
The weather wasn't ideal, but that did not stop the support. "Very emotional, sadness, heartache," Wendi VanHoozer and Lynda Swanson said. "I mean, what else can you say?"
VanHoozer and Swanson said what many are feeling after two years with the lives of Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves taken.
Hundreds of students gathered at the Vandal Healing Garden to reflect on the tragic loss. Each student lit candles and observed a moment of silence in honor of Xana, Ethan, Madison, and Kaylee.
"We wanted to create an interactive experience that allowed all the visitors and users to sort of actually engage," Aaron Magalsky, a Healing Garden designer, said.
Magalsky helped design the space, wanting to bring something new to the campus as a venue and as a resource.
"There was kind of a lack of place on campus for people to go and a resource for them to kind of deal with that grief, and we saw the opportunity to provide that resource for people and for the Vandal family," Magalski said.
It's a Vandal family that came together two years after the tragic loss, each shining their own light so the lives of the murdered students won't be forgotten.
"I just know that it's going to benefit people and really bring a light to people's lives for years after I'm done with my education here," Magalsky said.
Staff and faculty said while they're still heartbroken, they're happy to be doing something to honor the memories of Xana, Ethan, Madison and Kaylee.