Incident at Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University at Kentucky is grieving over recent tragic news. An 18-year-old student was found in his dorm in unresponsive conditions, according to Campbellsville police department. This particular student was identified as 18 year old, Josiah Kilman. He was a freshman in college and he also was part of the university’s wrestling team.
In terms of the incident, the Campbellsville Police Department stated on Monday, February 26, that the young man was specifically found deceased in his own dorm at around the time of 12:43 a.m. on Saturday, February 24. After Kilman was discovered, he was immediately transported to the local hospital, which was Taylor Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His family and everyone is the community is devastated and sadden. Campbellsville University President Joseph Hopkins stated in a letter to students and staff the following,
Kilman was a beloved member of the community, a bright light, and a person of incredible hope.
Kilman’s family also said that their loved one had attended Campbellsville University on a biblical scholarship.
The Cause of Dead and Main Suspect
Additionally, Kilman died due to asphyxia by manual strangulation, according to the Campbellsville Police Department. Furthermore, after he was found, the university was placed on lock down. It was later lifted when there was a suspect found.
That main suspect was pointing towards the individual named Charles Escalera, also known as Zeke Escalera. It was determined that 21-year-old was the main suspect of the murder of his fellow wrestling team member. It is shocking news, because they were both part of the wrestling team in their University, and the fact that their University is known and has the reputation of being a good Christian college.
Moreover, Escalera was located after a farmer had seen him in a barn. After that, the farmer called the police at around 5:15 p.m. on Saturday; that same day. According to the Associated Press, Escalera admitted to breaking in and stealing food, which he was later arrested without incident and charged with murder and second-degree burglary for his committed crimes.
A Shock for the Community
This tragedy has definitely shocked the family, the community, and the University in many different aspects. Even, Taylor County Coroner, Daniel Cook was in disbelief of how someone so close, like in Kilman’s case, a former wrestling team mate, could have had the capacity of doing something so horrific to his fellow peer.
He specifically stated that while he can recall times when students had passed away, he definitely did not remember of an instance where a student had been charged in another’s murder. As of right now the motive of the crime is still undetermined, but the case is still on-going. He was arrested an placed into the Taylor County Detention Center with bond set at $2 million.
Kilman Will Be Missed
Everyone was deeply impacted by this news and his family has spoken out in regards to their beloved one. They have stated:
He was a beautiful young, 18 year old, Christian man from Columbia Falls, Montana who had a passionate heart on fire for the Lord.
Now, in regards to his goals, they said:
Kilman was at Campbellsville University on a biblical scholarship with the dreams of leading others to follow the Lord through the Christian principles, of which he himself adhered to.
Also, the Kentucky Governor, Andy Besher spoke up about this incident.
It is tragic when we lose any of our young people, especially to violence. I can’t imagine as a parent sending your child to college only to learn that you lost them, my heart mainly goes out for both that individual and their family, who are struggling the most, and then thinking of everybody on that campus and how they’re feeling and the work we need to do to re-establish the feeling of security and safety that they and every other Kentuckian ought to be able to wake up with every day.
The University is committed to keeping students safe, physically, and psychologically. Therefore, the President advocated about their counseling and open prayer services available to everyone who needs support, especially because the community is still understandably shaken by this very recent tragedy.
Kilman’s passing is heartbreaking but it for sure left a print behind, his kindness, personality and positivity inspired many people. All his loved ones and the community will remember him dearly.
Written by Jeanette Sanchez
Sources:
CNN: Campbellsville University student died from strangulation and suspect was teammate on wrestling team, police say
Scripps News: Student found dead in dorm, wrestling teammate charged with murder
NBC News: Campbellsville University student found dead in dorm died by manual strangulation
ABC News: Kentucky college student’s cause of death released, wrestling teammate charged with murder: Police
Featured Image Courtesy of raymondclarkeimages Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Chris Blakeley Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
