A Campbellsville University student was discovered dead in his dorm room early Saturday morning, Feb. 24, and local law enforcement officials have arrested a CU student for his murder.
Campbellsville Police responded to campus at 12:43 a.m. in reference to an unresponsive male. The student, Josiah Malachi Kilman, 18, a freshman from Montana, was transported to Taylor Regional Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
According to the Taylor County Coroner’s Office, preliminary autopsy results show the cause of death was asphyxiation by manual strangulation.
Campbellsville Police arrested CU student Charles E. Escalera, 21, on Saturday evening, Feb. 24, inside a barn located on the Green County/Taylor County line.
He’s being charged with murder and second-degree burglary. He’s currently being held in the Taylor County Detention Center on $2 million bond.
Escalera appeared in court Monday morning, Feb. 26, and pled not guilty.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled to be held at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 6.
Ron & Diana Garvey • Feb 25, 2024 at 11:22 am
So sad. Praying for all the families, students & faculty at Campbellsville University. It is heartbreaking that you have two students that are both fine looking young men whose lives have been impacted in such a senseless act. Why? I cannot understand how a young person who could have had a positive influence would resort to murder. He is an adult so he needs to be held accountable for his actions. My heart goes out to both families. The actions of the young man accused of murder has literally destroyed two families. I’m praying for all & hope they get answers.