The Moscow Police Department says the deaths of four University of Idaho students at an off-campus residence have been ruled homicides. While no weapons have been located, officers believe that an “edged weapon such as a knife” was used.
Moscow Police responded to a call on King Road at about noon on Sunday for a report of an unconscious individual. Upon arrival, officers discovered the four individuals were deceased. They have been identified as 20-year-old Ethan Chapin of Conway, Washington; 21-year-old Madison Mogen of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; 21-year-old Kaylee Goncalves of Rathdrum, Idaho; and 20-year-old Xana Kernodle of Avondale, Arizona.
Autopsies are scheduled to be completed later this week which officials hope will provide more definitive information on the exact cause of the deaths.
Currently, there are no suspects in custody. An updated press release states that based on information from the preliminary investigation, investigators believe this was an “isolated, targeted attack and there is no imminent threat to the community at large.”
“Investigators are continuing to work diligently on establishing a timeline of relevant events to re-create the victims’ activities on the evening of November 12 and early morning of November 13, following all leads and identifying persons of interest,” officials say.
The Moscow Police Department is working closely with the Idaho State Police as well as other State and federal law enforcement agencies on this case. Investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Moscow Police Department at 208-883-7054.
November 15, 2022
Kaylee Goncalves family released this statement via Twitter, also on behalf of Maddie Mogen who was a close family friend.
Credit: Rania Kaur @ KXLY
