Charles Escalara: Kentucky college student charged with murder after 18-year-old found unresponsive in dorm room

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KENTUCKY: A student, Charles E Escalara, has been charged in connection with the death of another student on the campus of Campbellsville University in Kentucky. The victim student was discovered unresponsive in a dorm room early on February 24 morning.

At 12.43 am local time, officers were called to the school in response to a report of an unresponsive male in his dorm room, according to the Campbellsville Police Department.

The victim was 18-year-old Josiah Malachi Kilman, who was taken to a nearby hospital but later died there.  

Charles E Escalara arrested in connection with the murder

According to WLEX, Escalara, 21, a fellow student, was identified as the suspect. Police began searching for him.

At approximately 5.15 pm local time, the Green County Sheriff's Office and Kentucky State Police received a call regarding a suspicious male in a barn on the border of Taylor County, which includes the city of Campbellsville.

According to Campbellsville police, Escalera was found by responding state police, who then took him into custody without any problem. He has been detained on murder charges.

Campbellsville University put under lockdown

Campbellsville University, which is a small private Christian college, was put under lockdown when a manhunt was launched for Escalera.

In a statement, university president Joseph Hopkins stated, "Campbellsville University is grieving the loss of one of our family," CBS reported.

“We have lost a student and our hearts are broken. During this devastating time, the continued safety of our students and the residents of our community are our primary concern.”

Kilman's body, according to police, has been sent for an autopsy to the Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office in Louisville. Counselors were said to be available for both staff and students by the university.

Escalara may not be a US citizen, according to the police, or he may not be authorized to be attending the university. The motive behind the killing and the events leading up to it were not disclosed by the police.

It was also unclear whether the victim and the suspect were acquainted before the incident.