Man sentenced in Josiah Kilman death

A former Campbellsville University wrestler was sentenced to 40 years in prison for strangling to death Columbia Falls native Josiah Kilman.

On Feb. 24, 2024 Charles Escalera, 24, strangled Kilman, who was 18 at the time, in his Kentucky dorm room.

Escalera then fled and was later found hiding in a barn.

The two men were both members of the university’s wrestling team. Kilman was both a standout wrestler and soccer player in high school.

Escalera reached a plea bargain in June with prosecutors in Taylor County Circuit Court.

According to a story in the Lexington Herald, Escalera asked for forgiveness at sentencing.

He was sentenced by Taylor County Judge Isaac Garb, who read more than 60 letters submitted by Kilman’s family and friends.

Escalera is eligible for parole after serving 20 years.

A distinct motive was never revealed, according to the Examiner, but Escalera’s mental health may have been a factor.

Kilman was a captain of the Columbia Falls soccer team his junior and senior seasons and a member of the wrestling team as well. Both teams won state championships with Kilman as a team member. He graduated in June, 2023.

He attended Campbellsville University on a biblical scholarship and was a theology major.