Update: No suspect in custody or murder weapon recovered, says Moscow Police Chief

MOSCOW, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — More than seven days ago, the bodies of four University of Idaho students were found fatally stabbed in their home off campus. The Moscow Police Department said they still don’t have a suspect in custody, or a murder weapon recovered, but there are a number of people they believe are not the suspect in the killing of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle.

During a press conference at the University of Idaho Campus in Moscow, Police Chief James Fry said at this time investigators do not believe the two surviving roommates are involved in this crime. Additionally, investigators do not believe the male in the Grub Truck surveillance video with Mogen and Goncalves, or the private party driver who took Goncalves and Mogen home on November 13th is involved in the crime.

When pressed about the identity of the 911 caller, Fry said it was made from one of the surviving roommates’ phone, but would not confirm it was made by one of the roommates. He also said investigators do not believe the 911 caller is the killer.

On the morning of November 13th, the surviving roommates summoned friends to the residence because they believed one of the second-floor victims had passed out and was not waking up. At 11:58 a.m., a 911 call requested aid for an unconscious person. The call originated from inside the residence on one of the surviving roommates’ cell phone. Multiple people talked with the 911 dispatcher before a Moscow Police officer arrived at the location. Officers entered the residence and found the four victims on the second and third floors.

The chief confirmed Investigators are aware of multiple phone calls from victims Goncalves and Mogen to a male, but Fry did not confirm during the press conference if the male is a person of interest in the case.

The Moscow police Chief said currently detectives have seized the contents of three dumpsters on King Road to locate possible evidence. Local businesses were contacted to determine if a fixed-blade knife had been recently purchased. Currently, no suspects are in custody, and no weapon has been located. but investigators believe the attacks were targeted.

“Do we know if any one person it was targeted? We are not able to say at this point in time,” said Fry.

When asked by a reporter at the press conference how could someone(s) come into the house and kill four people and not disturb the other roommates Fry said, “I cannot disclose any of that information. I don’t even know that information at this point in time. that’s why we are continuing to investigate.”

Additionally, he said investigators have received 646 tips and have conducted 90 interviews.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call 208-883-7180 or tipline@ci.moscow.id.us.

The incident involving the four college students has the university of Idaho Community on edge.

University of Idaho Law Professor Richard Seamon told KMVT News that the horrific incident has been equally tough on faculty and staff. Many students either directly or indirectly knew the victims, and staff is doing the best they can to comfort the students through this traumatic event. Additionally, he said since last Wednesday he too has noticed many students have left the campus

“I am aware that there are definitely faculty members who feel personally unsafe being on campus until someone is arrested for the crime,” Seamon said.

The law professor said at this time he is not aware of the college’s plans for instruction f Thanksgiving break or the Spring semester if a person is not in custody at that time.

At the press conference, the Idaho State Police said it has officers around the University of Idaho campus and the Moscow community.

At the University of Idaho, all residential halls are locked and guests must be accompanied. “We are making security our top priority,” said UI President C. Scott Green.

---Original Story---

The Moscow Police Department released new details Saturday on the investigation into the four University of Idaho students killed last weekend.

According to a Moscow Police Department Facebook post the cell phone used to call 911 belonged to one of the surviving roommates. Due to the ongoing investigation, the identity of the caller has not been released.

At this time, detectives have investigated the private party driver who took Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen home on November 13th and do not believe he is involved in this crime.

Detectives believe that on November 12th, the two surviving roommates had been out in the Moscow community, separately, but returned home by 1 a.m. The two did not wake up until later on November 13th.

Initially, the 911 call made at 11:58 a.m. on November 13th requested aid for an unconscious person. The call was made from inside the residence on one of the roommates’ cell phone. Moscow Police Department arrived shortly thereafter and found all four victims.

Detectives confirm the victims were located on the second and third floors of the residence.

Investigators are aware of multiple phone calls from victims Mogen and Goncalves to a male. This information is part of the ongoing investigation.

Detectives are seeking all outside surveillance video taken from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Sunday, November 13, 2022, from businesses and residences within the geographical area below. Detectives are requesting all available video – whether there appears to be motion and content or not. Tips, pictures, and videos can be submitted to tipline@ci.moscow.id.us or call the Tip Line at 208-883-7180 for assistance. (See map) https://bit.ly/3UU8yso

-Original Informationon-

On the evening of November 12th, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen were at a local bar called The Corner Club at 202 N. Main Street, in downtown Moscow, between 10 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. on November 13th. At approximately 1:40 a.m., Kaylee and Madison were seen on video at a local food vendor called the “Grub Truck” at 318 S. Main Street and used a private party for a ride home from downtown to arrive at their 1122 King Road residence at 1:45 a.m.

Investigators have determined that Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were seen at the Sigma Chi house on the University of Idaho Campus at 735 Nez Perce Drive. At approximately 1:45 a.m., Ethan and Xana are believed to have returned to the residence at 1122 King Road. It was previously reported that Ethan resided at the home, however, it has been determined that he was only visiting.

Two other roommates were at the residence that night.

On November 13th, at 11:58 a.m., officers responded to the residence after a 911 call reported an unconscious individual. Upon arrival, officers discovered Kaylee, Madison, Xana, and Ethan deceased inside the residence.

Autopsies were conducted on November 17th. The Latah County Coroner confirmed the identity of the four murdered individuals and their cause and manner of death as homicide by stabbing. The coroner stated that the four victims were likely asleep, some had defensive wounds, and each was stabbed multiple times. There was no sign of sexual assault.

At this time in the investigation, detectives do not believe the two surviving roommates or the male in the Grub Truck surveillance video are involved in this crime. Additionally, online reports of the victims being tied and gagged are not accurate. The identity of the 911 caller has not been released.

As part of the investigation, detectives seized the contents of three dumpsters on King Road to locate possible evidence. Additionally, detectives have contacted local businesses to determine if a fixed-blade knife had been recently purchased.

At the time of this release, detectives have received nearly 500 tips which are being processed, investigated, and cleared. Thirty-eight interviews have been conducted with individuals who may have information about the murders. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call 208-883-7180 or tipline@ci.moscow.id.us.

The Moscow Police Department is utilizing assistance from the Idaho State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Latah County Sheriff’s Office.

Currently, there are no suspects in custody, and the weapon has not been found.

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