Four U of I students were found dead in an off-campus home on Sunday. Follow our full report here.
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Just before noon Sunday, the Moscow Police Department responded to a call about an unconscious person at a home near the University of Idaho campus. Upon arrival, police found four bodies. Police and the university identified the dead man as Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene. Kaylee Goncalves, 21, from Rathdrum; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls; and Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Washington. Authorities are slowly releasing information about the incident. Here’s the latest information and reactions we’ve received. You can also read the Idaho Statesman’s “what we know” story by clicking here.
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The Moscow Police Department reiterated in a press release Tuesday night that it does not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community and that evidence points to a targeted attack. The release appeared to be in response to the fact that no suspects have been named and no one is in custody, which has led to “public safety concerns,” police acknowledged. “We hear you and understand your fears,” the department said in the statement. The department also said it shared any potential information without “compromising the ongoing investigation” and is cooperating with Idaho State Police investigators and the Latah County District Attorney’s Office, among other agencies. “This incident highlighted that violence is possible in our community and in any community,” police said in the statement. “Until this case is fully resolved, we ask the community to continue to be vigilant, be vigilant, report suspicious activity and help us be the eyes and ears in our community.” The release concluded with: “We hope to have more information tomorrow.”
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A vigil originally scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 16, has been rescheduled for the week of Nov. 28, the University of Idaho announced in a tweet. Many students and Moscow residents have left the city early for Thanksgiving and other reasons, according to earlier reports by the Statesman. This vigil was postponed until the week of November 28. — University of Idaho (@uidaho) November 15, 2022
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An FBI spokesman told the Statesman that the federal agency is assisting Moscow police in the homicide investigation. “While I cannot discuss specific efforts, the FBI frequently provides investigative, forensic and technical assistance to local law enforcement agencies if requested,” said Sandra Yi Barker, FBI spokeswoman for the Salt Lake City Field Office, which covers Idaho.
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All three women lived in the home where the victims were found, according to Maya Hippenstiel, who was Kernodle’s close friend. Hippenstiel also told the Statesman that two other women lived in the home. The one man in the home, Chapin, was dating Kernodle and staying the night, according to Chapin’s mother, Stacey Chapin.
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Latah County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Mikolajczyk told the Statesman that he has seen and heard of many community members leaving town as a result of the incident. A community member who works at a local sporting goods store, Natasha Rogers, said the lack of information from police and city officials has contributed to a sense of sadness in the community. “It’s really surreal,” Rodgers said in an interview. “A lot of people don’t feel safe because of the lack of information they’ve given the public. But we’re still going. We are sorry and feel so incredibly sad about what happened in this small town, but there is an unsettling feeling that we don’t feel safe.”
11:15 am
Ethan Chapin’s mother, Stacey Chapin, told the Statesman that the four students were stabbed. He denied speculation about the case, including a New York Times report that quoted a Moscow official as calling it a “crime of passion.” “They stabbed. We got the call,” Chapin said. “I don’t want people to make assumptions about our kids. It wasn’t drugs and it certainly wasn’t a passion thing between these kids. Someone entered the house.”
9:45 am
Moscow police said investigators believe a “cutting weapon, such as a knife” was used in the attack. Based on the preliminary investigation, investigators believe the attack was an isolated and targeted incident and there is no immediate danger to the community, police said. Police said they are following up on all leads and identifying “persons of interest,” but no suspects have been taken into custody. You can read more here. Idaho State Police and state and federal law enforcement agencies are assisting the Moscow Police Department in the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 208-883-7054. Four University of Idaho students were found dead Sunday. Police are investigating the deaths as a crime. Angela Palermo [email protected]
More coverage
You can read the Statesman’s full coverage of the event by clicking on the stories below: Moscow police: ‘Edged weapon’ used in University of Idaho attack that killed 4 students ‘We definitely have crime’: Police seek suspect in University of Idaho murders What we know about the 4 deaths at the University of Idaho as police investigate Watch: University of Idaho student plays organ near dorms to honor students who died ‘So hard not to panic’: University of Idaho community reacts online to student murders Moscow police identify 4 University of Idaho students found dead in homicide Update: Four University of Idaho students found dead near campus after reported homicide This story was originally published on November 15, 2022 at 11:57 am. Follow more of our reporting on Instagram from the Idaho Statesman View all stories Related stories from the Idaho Statesman Shaun Goodwin is a Pacific Northwest journalism service reporter. If you enjoy stories like this, consider supporting our work with a subscription to our newspaper. Support my work with a digital subscription
