Sign up for our free US News newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every weekday morning

Sign up for our free US morning email newsletter

The University of Idaho has been shrouded in mystery and fear after four students were found dead from stab wounds at an off-campus home over the weekend. Police say the group of friends — Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21 — were killed in an “isolated, targeted attack” Sunday at a home in Moscow, Idaho. Their deaths were ruled a homicide, but two days later no arrests have been made and nothing is known about the person – or persons – responsible for the murders. In a briefing on Tuesday, police assured that there is no “immediate threat” to the community, but did not disclose any evidence that would lead to that conclusion. Police also revealed that the victims died of stab wounds from a “sharp knife-like weapon” which has yet to be recovered. Meanwhile, eerie photos have emerged of the friends smiling together just a day before the murders.

Basic points

Show latest update 1668583800

Idaho stabbing victim’s mother disputes ‘crime of passion’ speculation.

Stacey Chapin, the mother of University of Idaho homicide victim Ethan Chapin, shot down speculation about the gruesome stabbing that left four dead in comments to the Idaho Statesman. Moscow Mayor Art Bettge told The New York Times in an interview Monday that the quadruple homicide appeared to be a “crime of passion.” Ms Chapin told the Statesman: “I don’t want people making assumptions about our children. It wasn’t drugs and it certainly wasn’t a passion thing between these kids. Someone entered the house.” Police say there is no ongoing threat to the community, but have not released any suspect information or made any arrests. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed Sunday. (Instagram) Bevan Hurley 16 November 2022 07:30 1668580200

Police say a “sharp weapon, like a knife” used in a quadruple homicide

In its first release of substantive information after four University of Idaho students were found dead Sunday, Moscow City Police said in a statement Tuesday that a “sharp weapon” was used in the killing. Police responded to a call about an unconscious person shortly before noon Sunday and found the bodies of Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, at a home outside of the campus. Police described the killings as an “isolated, targeted attack” and said there was “no immediate threat to the community at large”. Autopsies are scheduled for later in the week, Moscow police said. Slain University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle (GoFundme) Bevan Hurley November 16, 2022 06:30 1668578261

Timeline: What we know so far about the murder of four University of Idaho students

Officials say the students were killed between 3 and 4 a.m. Sunday, hours after one of them posted smiling photos on Instagram. Maroosha Muzaffar16 November 2022 05:57 1668576600

Mystery deepens over four University of Idaho students found dead

Moscow Mayor Art Bettge urged citizens not to worry about their own safety, calling the killing of four students “a targeted, one-off situation.” Moscow police also said they did not believe there was an “ongoing community risk” based on the preliminary investigation, although no suspects had been arrested as of Monday night. “Our sincere condolences to every person affected by this incident,” the police department said. Bevan Hurley November 16, 2022 05:30 1668573027

“Four students were stabbed to death and no one knows who did it, but is there no threat? What?’

University of Idaho students and their families are gripped with fear after hearing little from law enforcement in the horrific quadruple homicide in Moscow on Sunday. Many have taken to social media to question the lack of clear information about the stabbings of four students by city officials. Annie Reneau, who says she is the mother of a U of I senior, wrote a lengthy thread on Twitter that summed up the community’s fears. “I’m not sure if people not directly connected to the University of Idaho in some way understand how little information students, parents and community members have received regarding the murder of 4 students in an off-campus apartment two days ago. ” she wrote. “It took over 24 hours to find out who had been killed and, okay, yes, the families need to be notified, see But 24 hours is a long time. Almost 48 hours to find out how they died—nothing but “it’s a homicide.” This is a small town. Murders are rare, and four students at once? WTH. “A shelter in place after the bodies were discovered, then lifted after an hour because PD does not believe there is an ongoing threat. But no suspects. NO suspects. Four students were stabbed to death and no one knows who did it, but there is no threat? What? “Police believe it was an isolated, targeted attack. OK, but someone who was crazy/angry/drugged/whatever enough to stab four people, even if targeted, is out there somewhere. I’m not generally paranoid, but this doesn’t sit well with me, does it?’ Bevan Hurley November 16, 2022 4:30 am 1668570089

Mayor calls murders ‘crime of passion’

The mayor of Moscow, Idaho, called the killing of four students there a “crime of passion.” Art Bettge said authorities are still investigating what happened, but that the case is being treated as a homicide. He added that “the overall assessment is that this is a crime of passion.” “With a crime of this magnitude, it’s very difficult to deal with,” Mr Bettge said. He said the police would have to piece together the mystery. However, Stacey Chapin, the mother of University of Idaho homicide victim Ethan Chapin, dismissed the “crime of passion” view. Ms Chapin told the Statesman: “I don’t want people making assumptions about our children. It wasn’t drugs and it certainly wasn’t a passion thing between these kids. Someone entered the house.” Maroosha Muzaffar16 November 2022 03:41 1668569427

Friends held fundraiser for University of Idaho stabbing victims

Friends of the University of Idaho quadruple victims have organized a fundraiser to help their families. “Our hearts are so broken with the tragedy and loss of the U of I students,” wrote the page’s organizer.
A friend of Xana Kernodle set up a separate GoFundme to help cover funeral expenses for her family, which had raised more than $16,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. “Waking up and realizing it’s a day Xana won’t be – it’s unbearable,” the organizer wrote. The parents and siblings of Ethan Chapin, who was dating Kernodle, donated $1,000 to the fundraiser. Slain University of Idaho students Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves (GoFundme) Bevan Hurley November 16, 2022 3:30 am 1668565827

Four friends posted photos enjoying college life in Idaho. Hours later they were killed. What happened?

Two days after four students were found dead in an off-campus home, no arrests have been made and no suspects have been named. So why do authorities insist there is no danger to the community? Bevan Hurley16 November 2022 02:30 1668562227

Police say a “sharp weapon, like a knife” used in a quadruple homicide

In its first release of substantive information after four University of Idaho students were found dead Sunday, Moscow City Police said in a statement Tuesday that a “sharp weapon” was used in the killing. Police responded to a call about an unconscious person shortly before noon Sunday and found the bodies of Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, at a home outside of the campus. Police described the killings as an “isolated, targeted attack” and said there was “no immediate threat to the community at large”. Autopsies are scheduled for later in the week, Moscow police said. (Is provided) Bevan Hurley16 November 2022 01:30 1668558627

Idaho restaurant where two victims worked closed to ‘process and grieve’

A restaurant in Moscow, Idaho, has closed to “process and mourn” after the deaths of two servers in a quadruple homicide at the University of Idaho. The Mad Greek restaurant posted an emotional tribute to Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen on Facebook about the “deep sadness” felt by staff who lost “two of their own”. “Xana and Maddie have been servers here for several years and have brought so much joy to our restaurant and to everyone they meet. Maddie was also the face behind our social media pages. “With this incredible loss, we have closed to process and grieve. Our deepest condolences go out to all the friends and families of Xana, Maddie, Ethan and Kaylee.” Bevan Hurley November 16, 2022 12:30 am