Kentucky college wrestling star, 21, is charged with strangling 18-year-old teammate to death in his dorm at Baptist university

Traumatized 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 Charles Escalera, 21, 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.

'It's indescribably suffocating for this to happen to him of all people,' said Kilman's former soccer coach O'Brien Bird.

'He was such an exceptional human being that shone a really bright light.'

Freshman theology student Josiah Malachi Kilman, 18, was studying at the private Baptist Campbellsville University in Kentucky after winning a bible scholarship 

His family in Columbia Falls, Montana, said their son (top left) had 'dreams of leading others to follow the Lord through the Christian principles'

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 teenager was found unresponsive in a dorm and taken to Taylor Regional Hospital where he died, according to authorities.

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.

His is the fourth violent death of a young person on a college campus in the last month and rocked staff and friends at the 1,200 student campus.

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 was a keen sportsman and his former soccer coach described him as an 'exceptional human being that shone a really bright light'

The teenager had only been at the college for a few months before his murder 

More than 11,000 students are enrolled at the college which saw its Campbellsville campus put into lockdown on Saturday 

'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.

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 $57,000 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.'

His death follows the murder on Friday of 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley while out on a jog at the University of Georgia.

Illegal Venezuelan immigrant Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested for her murder later that day and is now being held at the Clarke County Jail.

The 26-year-old crossed into El Paso, Texas in September 2022 but had been released from a detention center due to a lack of space.

The White House issued a statement on Monday as President Joe Biden prepares to pay only his second visit to the southern border as president later this week.

Nursing student Laken Riley was murdered while jogging on the University of Georgia campus

'People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty. Given this is an active case, we would have to refer you to state law enforcement and ICE,' the White House official said.

Colorado University student Nicholas Jordan, 25, was charged on the same day with killing his roommate Samuel Knopp, 24, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, on the Colorado Springs campus on February 16.

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.