Survivor Speaks Out: Roommate Recounts Trauma of Idaho University Murders

In November 2022, four University of Idaho students were tragically murdered in Moscow, Idaho. On Wednesday, one of the surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensen, spoke publicly for the first time since the incident, delivering a powerful victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing of the perpetrator, Bryan Kohberger.

Mortensen, who was 19 years old at the time of the murders, described the devastating toll the killings have taken on her life. "What happened that night changed everything," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. Mortensen explained that the murders "shattered" her in ways she didn't know were possible, robbing her of her sense of safety and trust in the world around her.

The other surviving roommate, Bethany Funke, also shared her statement, which was read by a friend. Funke expressed feelings of guilt and regret for not calling 911 immediately, even though she acknowledges it would not have changed the outcome. She also faced harassment and threats from strangers on social media in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Both Mortensen and Funke described the lasting trauma they have endured, with Mortensen detailing the debilitating panic attacks she experiences. However, they vowed to honor their lost friends by continuing to live their lives to the fullest, refusing to let the perpetrator take away their voices and memories.