College wrestling star, is accused of strangling old teammate, 18, to death in his dorm at christian college in Kentucky

Theology student Josiah Kilman, 18, was found strangled in a dorm at Campbellsville University on Feb 24, and police launched a manhunt for the victim’s mate on the college wrestling team

Police arrested fellow student Charles Escalera, 21, on murder charges after he was found hiding in a barn the following day

Escalera, a sophomore pre-engineering student from Moore, Oklahoma, has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held at the Taylor County Detention Center on a $2 million bond

Victim: Josiah Malachi Kilman, 18, [photo], a freshman theology student at the private Baptist Campbellsville University in Kentucky, was found strangled in a dorm at Campbellsville University in Kentucky on Feb 24 

Students have returned to class at Campbellsville University in Kentucky after a college wrestling star was arrested over the murder of one of his popular young teammates.
Freshman Theology student Josiah Malachi Kilman, 18, was found strangled in his dorm at the private Baptist college at 1am on Saturday.
Students were ordered into lockdown as the hunt began for suspect Charles Escalera, who was tracked down that evening after a farmer tipped off police about a suspicious man hiding out in his barn.
Both students were members of the college wrestling team and Escalera had won the 106-pound wrestling state title in 2017.

Alleged killer: Kilman’s college wrestling teammate Charles Escalera was arrested five miles away on Saturday at 5.15pm after a farmer spotted him hiding in his barn. The pre-engineering sophomore from Moore, Oklahoma, has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held at the Taylor County Detention Center on a $2 million bond.

Kilman was found unresponsive in a dorm and taken to Taylor Regional Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Kilman’s family said their son had ‘dreams of leading others to follow the Lord through the Christian principles’.
‘His example compelled so many others to make the same changes he wished to see in the world, and his impact on their lives will never truly be forgotten,’ they said in a statement.

Kilman [photo], was a keen sportsman. His former soccer coach described the teen as an ‘exceptional human being that shone a really bright light’

University President Joseph Hopkins said Kilman’s faith as ‘contagious’ describing him as a ‘bright light, and a person of incredible hope’.
Hopkins prayed with Kilman’s and Escalera’s colleagues in the wrestling team on Sunday.
‘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,’ he wrote.
‘During this devastating time, the continued safety of our students and the residents of our community are our primary concern.

Kilman, 18, had only been at the college for a few months before his murder, ‘He was well known to many as an avid athlete and faithful religious leader’  

‘With consultation from local law enforcement, we will continue to implement every measure necessary to protect and support students and our community.’Students were urged to stay alert even after the lockdown was lifted on Sunday.
‘Secure your residences, secure vehicles, and increase awareness of your surroundings,’ police warned them.

The Kilmans of Columbia Falls, Montana, said their Josiah [top left, in this family portrait], had ‘dreams of leading others to follow the Lord through the Christian principles’

Escalera, a sophomore pre-engineering student from Moore, Oklahoma, has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held at the Taylor County Detention Center on a $2 million bond.
A Gofundme has been set up to pay for the murdered teenager’s funeral back in Columbia Falls, Montana, and had raised more than $61,305 of the $65,000 target, by Monday evening.
His family said their son had won a biblical scholarship to the college and had a ‘passionate heart on fire for the Lord’.
‘He was well known to many as an avid athlete and faithful religious leader,’ they added.
‘Josiah influenced many hearts as he was a true example of compassion, kindness, and love.’

‘People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty,’ one White House official said.
Police said a motive for Kilman’s murder is ‘still undetermined at this time’.
Escalera has also been charged with second-degree burglary over food he allegedly stole during his hours on the run.