{"id":3851,"date":"2024-03-05T14:43:24","date_gmt":"2024-03-05T14:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/?p=3851"},"modified":"2024-03-05T14:43:24","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T14:43:24","slug":"slain-christian-university-wrestler-remembered-for-his-contagious-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/2024\/03\/slain-christian-university-wrestler-remembered-for-his-contagious-faith.html","title":{"rendered":"Slain Christian University Wrestler Remembered For His ‘Contagious’ Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"josiah<\/a>
NBC News\/YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A wrestler and theology major at a private Christian university in Kentucky has allegedly been killed by another university student and fellow wrestler, according to authorities. Eighteen-year-old Josiah Kilman was pronounced dead at Taylor Regional Hospital after police officers reported to Campbellsville University in central Kentucky. He was transported to the Kentucky State Examiner\u2019s Office for an autopsy.<\/p>\n

According to a statement from the Taylor County Coroner\u2019s Office, Kilman\u2019s cause of death was \u201casphyxia by manual strangulation.\u201d Charles Escalera, 21, who\u2019s also known as \u201cZeke,\u201d was arrested and charged with the murder. Campbellsville University President Joseph Hopkins said in a\u00a0statement<\/a>, \u201cOur campus family is grieving a heavy loss at this moment, and our hearts are broken. Josiah Kilman was a beloved member of our community. He was a bright light and a person of incredible hope. His faith was contagious across our campus. Because of the faithful life and bold witness he lived in front of us, we take comfort in knowing he is with his Lord and Savior right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hopkins stressed that the \u201csafety and wellbeing of our community is paramount,\u201d highlighting that the school has a \u201crange of resources\u201d available, including counseling services, faculty and staff mentors and the campus ministry. Kilman was a first-year student from Columbia Falls, Montana. Escalera was a student on the team during the 2021-2022 season, according to an archived roster. A motive remains unclear. Hopkins said, \u201cI gathered in prayer with our wrestlers and their coaches. I told them the wrestling team is about to get much bigger as you, our staff, students, and this community stand with them over the coming days and months.\u201d<\/p>\n