With no suspects, no weapon, mystery surrounds stabbing deaths of 4 Idaho students

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Autopsies performed on four University of Idaho students who were found dead inside a rental house near campus showed that all four were stabbed to death, the Latah County coroner said Thursday.

The killings have shaken Moscow, an Idaho Panhandle college town of 25,000 residents that last saw a homicide about five years ago, according to Coroner Cathy Mabbutt.

“It’s pretty tough,” Mabbutt said.

The autopsies were performed in nearby Spokane County in Washington state, and the bodies were subsequently released to the victims’ families.

Here is a look at what is known about the killings, and what remains a mystery:

IS THERE A SUSPECT?

Officers have not identified a suspect or found a blade that was used to stab the students, Moscow Police Chief James Fry said Wednesday. But the Idaho Statesman reported this week that police are searching for a military-style knife in connection with the killings. Scott Jutte, general manager of Moscow Building Supply, told the newspaper that officers have visited the store more than once to ask whether it sold anyone Ka-Bar-brand knives. Ka-Bar, of Olean, New York, manufactures military-grade blades that were originally designed for use by American troops in World War II, the Statesman said.

Via Mad Greek’s FB page 💔 pic.twitter.com/UFGzWD9g0Z

— Fiona_No_ID_Lady 🌻🌈 (@No_ID_Lady) November 14, 2022

WHO ARE THE VICTIMS?

All four were University of Idaho students and members of fraternities and sororities: seniors Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho; junior Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls, Idaho; and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Washington. The women were roommates. The bodies were found around noon Sunday.

DID THE KILLER OR KILLERS KNOW THE VICTIMS?

It’s unclear. Police have said evidence found at the scene leads them to believe that the students were targeted, though they haven’t given details. While a targeted attack is often an indication that the killer and victim knew each other on some level, police have also said they have no idea who committed these crimes, so it could have been a stranger. Investigators do say nothing appears to have been stolen from the victims or the home.

Twitch video from a Moscow food truck shows who appears to be two victims, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, just hours before the slayings. @KHQLocalNews pic.twitter.com/vf4LpWEGeb

— John Webb (@johnwebbtv) November 16, 2022

DID THE STUDENTS RAISE SECURITY CONCERNS BEFOREHAND?

Police have not said whether any of them reported unusual activity or otherwise expressed safety concerns before the attack. The University of Idaho did not respond to questions about whether the school had been alerted to any concerns or complaints from the students.

Just got off the phone with Xana Kernodle’s father. He said he’s had daily communication w involved authorities and is hoping for more answers soon.

Briefly, he shared his daughter was a good person and enjoyed living a free life.

Keep these families in your thoughts. @KREM2 pic.twitter.com/CTrZGcTwjW

— Janelle Finch // MMJanelle (@JFinchTV) November 17, 2022

IS THERE ANY THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY?

After initially saying there was no ongoing danger, police walked that back on Wednesday. “We cannot say that there is no threat to the community,” Fry said. “We still believe it’s a targeted attack. But the reality is there still is a person out there who committed four very horrible, horrible crimes.”

Ethan Chapin’s mother: “They were stabbed. We got the call. I don’t want people to make assumptions about our kids. It wasn’t drugs and it was definitely not some passion thing between these kids. Someone entered the house.”
Follow our live updates here:https://t.co/sBNIGvzXZD

— Sally Krutzig (@sallykrutzig) November 15, 2022

WHO ELSE WAS IN THE HOME?

Two other people were found in the sprawling house, unharmed. Fry declined to say whether they were able to provide an account of the killings, or to specify who called 911. When a reporter referred to the surviving roommates as witnesses, Fry clarified: “I don’t think I ever said they were witnesses. I said they were there.” There was no sign of forced entry at the home, according to the chief, and a door was found open by the first police officers to arrive.

Chapin’s mother, Stacy Chapin said her son, a triplet, was a bf to his brother & sister.

“It is an unspeakable tragedy and the pain is excruciating. Ethan was literally the greatest kid … friend to all and a smile that could light up any room,” #UniversityofIdaho pic.twitter.com/VlIJa1Momx

— Simply_Stranger (@AngelsBokenHalo) November 15, 2022

WHEN WERE THE STUDENTS LAST SEEN ALIVE?

Chapin and Kernodle were at a party on campus Saturday night, and Mogen and Goncalves were at a downtown bar and arrived home sometime after 1:45 a.m. Sunday, Fry said. Mogen and Goncalves were seen in a Twitch livestream getting food from a local truck.

Candlelight vigil @BoiseState tonight for @uidaho students Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen. (@randarae photos) pic.twitter.com/DiEGLm6Pz5

— Idaho Public Radio (@IdahoPubRadio) November 18, 2022

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS?

University of Idaho president Scott Green said the school will remain open the rest of the week because some students have found comfort there among faculty and classmates. But the school is also giving excused absences to anyone who feels more comfortable leaving early ahead of next week’s Thanksgiving holiday.

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Geranios reported from Spokane, Washington.