On the evening of November 2nd, 2021, four University of Idaho students were brutally murdered in Moscow, Iowa.
The victims were identified as 21-year-old Kelsey Berreth, 22-year-old Tiki Laverriere, 22-year-old Maryanna Wagoner, and 23-year-old Taylor Powell.
The students were all found deceased in the same residence, located just a few blocks from the university campus.
Authorities have released few details about the killings, but it is known that the murders were particularly violent and that the students likely knew their attacker, who has been identified as a 28-year-old man named Bryan Christopher Kohberger from Pennsylvania.
In a recent weird twist in the case, University of Idaho professor Rebecca Schofield is now suing a TikTok creator, Ashley Gillard, for defamation stemming from some controversial statements Gillard has been making.
Gillard has accused Schofield of being involved in the killings and has published numerous videos defaming Schofield’s reputation. Schofield denies all of the allegations and claims that she was not in the state at the time of the murders and did not know any of the victims.
Schofield’s lawsuit aims to protect her safety and reputation.
In an effort to do so, Schofield’s lawyer has sent cease and desist letters to Gillard, asking her to take down her videos. Despite the filing of the lawsuit, Gillard has continued to post TikToks alleging Schofield’s involvement in the murders.
It is worth noting that in a defamation case like this, the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff (in this case, Schofield) to prove that the defendant (Gillard) made false statements with the intent to harm the plaintiff’s reputation.
The community of Moscow, and particularly the University of Idaho, has been left in shock and grief by the tragedy.
Counseling services have been made available to students and faculty, and vigils and memorials have been held to honor the lives of the victims.
