Moscow police share little new information on U of I killings, address stalker story
Authorities investigating the grisly deaths of four University of Idaho students still have not named any suspects and released almost nothing new about the killings at a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Moscow.
Police gave a broad outline of the investigative steps being taken, including collecting DNA and photographic evidence from the home where the victims were found, following up on tips and conducting interviews.
The four victims in the killings early Nov. 13 were U of I seniors Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, who were close friends; and junior Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls; and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Washington, who were dating. The three women lived in the house, while Chapin was staying overnight with Kernodle.
Moscow Police Chief James Fry declined to say whether authorities believe the attacker visited the first floor of the three-story rental house, where two surviving roommates were during the attack. Two of the four slain students were on the second floor and two on the third, police have said.
Police also would not answer many other questions, pointing out that they need to “maintain the integrity” of the investigation and simply won’t be providing some information to the public. Among those questions was how the perpetrator may have gained access to the home and why police are confident to continue to label it a “targeted attack” without elaborating.
“You’re going to have to trust us,” said Moscow Police Capt. Roger Lanier.
Lanier said detectives have been unable thus far to validate reports of Goncalves having a stalker, but will continue to seek information regarding it, and he and others encouraged anyone with new information to step forward.
Records obtained by the Idaho Statesman from Moscow police do not indicate any of the four victims contacted police with concerns for their safety. Police withheld one record, though, citing an ongoing investigation. They would not answer questions about whether that ongoing investigation was the quadruple homicide.
Kedrick Wills, director of Idaho State Police, said investigators at the crime scene have collected 103 pieces of individual evidence, taken approximately 4,000 photos and conducted multiple 3D scans of the residence. The forensics team on the case has put in hundreds of hours to process DNA evidence, he said.
Wills also said Idaho Gov. Brad Little is sending up to $1 million to cover expenses related to the intense investigation, which Fry and Lanier said will include working through the Thanksgiving holiday.
The news conference was the third one authorities have held since the four students were fatally stabbed. They addressed some social media stories and rumors on Wednesday, largely concerning the possible stalker of Goncalves. Police said they looked “extensively” into that information after conducting interviews.
Police repeated much information about the night the students were killed and the investigation:
- Kernodle and Chapin had been at the Sigma Chi fraternity house — at a party, police said previously — before returning home at about 1:45 a.m. Sunday. Moden and Goncalves had been at a local bar and, later, a downtown Moscow food truck before returning home, also about 1:45 a.m.
- The house’s two other tenants had returned about 1 a.m. and did not wake up until the the morning, long after the attack.
- Multiple calls were made “from Madison and Kaylee’s phone” to a male. (Previously, authorities had confirmed that the calls were made after 2 a.m. and that the man, a friend, was sleeping. Goncalves’ sister, Alivia Goncalvez, said the man was a friend named Jack.)
- When the 911 caller two minutes before noon reported an unconscious person, police arrived to find the four students dead, two on the second floor and two on the third. (Police said separately that the two women who were unharmed were sleeping on the first floor.)
- Autopsies confirmed that they all died from multiple stab wounds and that all were likely asleep when the attacks occurred, though some victims showed defensive wounds, indicating that they awakened to struggle with the attacker. There were no signs of sexual assault, and none were tied or gagged.
- Early in the investigation, police canvassed local businesses to see if any fixed-blade knives had been purchased. The weapon used in the crime still has not been found.
- Detectives searched three nearby dumpsters for evidence, “but nothing of note was discovered.”
Investigators also said they are seeking more surveillance from homes and businesses “within the geographical area” of West Taylor Avenue (north boundary), West Palouse River Driver (south), U.S. 95-2700 block (east) and Arboretum and Botanical Garden (west). The target time is 3 to 6 a.m. Nov. 13.
This story was originally published November 23, 2022 at 2:18 PM with the headline "Moscow police share little new information on U of I killings, address stalker story."
