2022 University of Idaho killings
2022 University of Idaho killings | |
---|---|
Moscow, Idaho Area around the University of Idaho in Moscow | |
Location | Moscow, Idaho, United States |
Date | November 13, 20221 years ago) 3:00 – 4:00 a.m. (PST (UTC−08:00)) | (
Attack type | Mass stabbing, mass murder |
Weapons | One or more large fixed blade knives[1] |
Deaths | 4 |
Victims |
|
Perpetrator | Unknown |
Motive | Unknown |
Coroner | Latah County |
In the early hours of November 13, 2022, a mass murder took place in Moscow, Idaho, in the United States. Four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death in an off-campus three-story rented home. The authorities have not identified any suspects;[2][3] the investigation has been marked by a reversal of police statements as to whether the community may be at risk, and a lack of apparent progress in solving the crime.[4][5]
Background
Five female University of Idaho students lived in a rented off-campus home in the 25,000-person rural college town of Moscow, Idaho,[6] which had previously not seen a murder since 2015.[7] A sixth person was listed on the lease but not home at the time of the murders.[8] The three-story, 2,295-square-foot (213 m2) home had six bedrooms; two on each floor.[9][10]
The three female victims – Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, and Xana Kernodle – lived at the house, while the fourth victim, Ethan Chapin, was there sleeping over with his girlfriend, Xana Kernodle, on the night of the attacks.[9][11] Two other female roommates also lived at the house; they slept through the attacks, and were not injured.[12] A sixth tenant of the residence was not home the night of the murders.
Events
In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 13, 2022, between 3am and 4am, four University of Idaho college students were stabbed to death in a shared rental home close to campus, in which three of them resided.[2][11][13]
Earlier on Saturday evening, two of the four victims, Chapin and Kernodle, were at an on-campus party at the nearby Sigma Chi fraternity from 8pm to 9pm. Both returned home at 1:45am.[14][12][9] That same evening, the other two victims, lifelong best friends Mogen and Goncalves, had gone to The Corner Club, a downtown sports bar at Main and 'A' Streets, at 10pm, from which they departed at 1:30am.[14][11][12][9] A livestreamed video from Twitch[15] from The Grub Truck, a food truck four blocks south at Friendship Square (Main and Fourth Streets), showed Mogen and Goncalves at 1:41am, chatting and smiling, getting their food ten minutes later, and leaving to take what the police initially said was an Uber ride home, a trip of about one mile (1.6 km). The police later rephrased their statement to say the ride was provided by a "private party," arriving home at 1:56am.[16][17]
All four individuals were home by 1:56am.[9][16] Seven uncompleted phone calls were made from the phone of Goncalves to her former longtime boyfriend, Jack DuCoeur, a fellow student, from 2:26 to 2:52am. Mogen also called the boyfriend three times with similar results from 2:44 to 2:52am. These calls were investigated[9][18] with the police concluding they do not believe he was involved in the crime.[19]
The two surviving roommates had returned home by 1:00am, and were in their beds on the ground floor of the home at the time of the murders. They were not attacked or held hostage, and did not awaken until later that morning.[20][21] The four victims were stabbed to death on the second and third floors in the home, where they had been sleeping.[13] The victims were not gagged or restrained,[2] and the walls at the scene were splattered with blood. From photos of the house after the murders, blood can be seen to be seeping out of the walls of the house.[22]
No calls to 911 were made until 11:58 am, many hours after the early morning killings. At that time, a call was made from inside the residence, from the cellphone of one of the surviving students who lived at the residence, asking for aid for an "unconscious" person.[16][23][18][9] When police arrived, the door to the home was open, there was no sign of forced entry or damage inside the home, and nothing appeared to be missing. The two surviving roommates were in the residence when the police arrived, as were other friends of the victims, as the surviving roommates had called friends over to the home because they believed one of the second-floor victims was unconscious, and was not waking up. The identity of the 911 caller was not released, and the person was not considered a suspect.[24]
All four victims were pronounced deceased at 12:00pm.[12] That night, officers came upon Goncalves's dog, which she shared with Jack DuCoeur, alive and unharmed at the house; it was ultimately handed over to what police said was a 'responsible party'.[16][25]
Victims
Four college students were killed: Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls, Idaho; and Madison "Maddie" Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.[26] Chapin was a freshman, Kernodle was a junior, and Goncalves and Mogen were both seniors. All of the victims were also part of the university's Greek life, with Chapin a member of Sigma Chi, Goncalves a member of Alpha Phi, and Kernodle and Mogen members of Pi Beta Phi.[27]
Aftermath
On Sunday night, the university canceled classes for Monday, November 14;[28] it also scheduled a candlelight vigil to be held on the UI administration building lawn on Wednesday evening, then postponed it two weeks.[29] Fall break was scheduled to begin after Friday, November 18, with classes resuming on Monday, November 28.[30] Many students and other Moscow residents, not trusting the initial assurances of the police and fearing for their own safety, began an early Thanksgiving holiday exodus from the area, while others who stayed were anxious and cautious, and a number of professors canceled their classes.[31][32][33] Because of weather concerns, the candlelight vigil was moved indoors to the Kibbie Dome and held on the evening of Wednesday, November 30.
Investigation
The investigation of the murders is being conducted by the Moscow police (who had in their force four detectives and 24 patrol officers working on it), supported by the Idaho State Police (20 investigators, 15 troopers, and a Forensics Services and mobile crime scene team), the FBI (22 investigators, 20 assigned agents, and 2 Behavior Analysis Units), and the Latah County Sheriff's Office.[34][14][35] In all, almost 130 members of law enforcement from three different agencies began working on the case.[17] A phone tip line and email were created for students and others to submit potential evidence to officials. By December 5, it was reported that there had been more than 2,600 emailed tips, 2,700 phone calls and 1,000 digital media submissions from the public to these tip lines.[4][21]
The Latah County coroner conducted autopsies on the four victims on November 17.[16] She said they all appeared to have been stabbed multiple times (with fatal wounds in the chest and upper body) with a large knife (if not the same knife, very similar ones). At least one victim (with what were apparently defensive stab wounds on her hands) and possibly more appear to have tried to fend off their attacker, and that the victims may have been attacked while sleeping in their beds.[36][37][38] None showed signs of sexual assault, and toxicology reports are pending.[9] All four deaths were deemed homicide by stabbing.[2] They were not tied and gagged.[16] No weapon has been recovered, though the police believe the killer or killers used a fixed-blade knife.[12] [39]
No suspects or motives have been announced, and there have not been any arrests. The police have however ruled out: (a) a fellow student wearing a white hoodie seen in the video footage speaking to Mogen and Goncalves by the food truck; (b) the person who drove Mogen and Goncalves home; (c) the two surviving roommates, who were home during the killings; and (d) Goncalves's former longtime boyfriend whom she and Mogen had called a total of ten times that night.[40][41][9][38] The authorities left open the possibility that there could be more than one perpetrator.[9] In a November 23 press conference, the Moscow police chief said that authorities had received a number of tips including that Goncalves allegedly had a stalker, but were unable to verify that claim or identify any such individual at that time.[42]
Response
The incident has been marked by a reversal of police statements as to whether the community might be at risk, and a perceived lack of apparent progress in solving the crime.[4][5] From the day of the killings, investigators initially said that there was no risk to the community. Three days later, however, Moscow Police Chief James Fry said: "We cannot say that there is no threat to the community."[4]
Due to the slow release of details about the crime to the public, some began to speculate and spread misinformation about the case on social media.[43] Three days after the killings, the father of Ethan Chapin spoke out about the lack of information from the University of Idaho and local police, highlighting the spread of rumors due to the silence from officials.[4] The father of Kaylee Goncalves spoke of the lack of flow of information from police to the families of the victims about 11 days after the attack, saying: "They’re just so vague with everything that they say and then they like slowly peel it back later until you like find the real story".[44]
See also
- Ted Bundy, killed university sorority house roommates in Florida
- Ma Jiajue, killed four university roommates in China
- Danny Rolling, stabbed to death five university students in Florida
- Richard Speck, killed eight student nurse roommates with a knife in Chicago
- Elliot Rodger, stabbed roommates to death near university in California
- List of attacks related to post-secondary schools
References
- ^ Best, Paul (November 22, 2022). "Idaho college murders: Police investigating tips that one victim had a stalker, but haven't verified info". Fox News.
- ^ a b c d Elamroussi, Aya (November 19, 2022). "Here's what we know – and don't know – about the killings of 4 University of Idaho students as a suspect has yet to be identified". CNN.
- ^ Krutzig, Sally; Goodwin, Shaun (November 19, 2022). "How did things unfold before, after University of Idaho killings? A timeline of events". The Idaho Statesman.
- ^ a b c d e Epperly, Emma (November 20, 2022). "In the age of misinformation, the mystery in Moscow takes on a troubling life of its own". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ a b Caldwell, Travis (November 20, 2022). "A week after 4 University of Idaho students were killed, there are mounting questions in the investigation and few answers". CNN.
- ^ "Police: 2 other roommates were home during fatal stabbing of 4 U of Idaho students". TODAY.
- ^ Levenson, Elizabeth Wolfe,Eric (November 28, 2022). "'Sketched out' University of Idaho students return to campus from break with still no arrest in quadruple killings". CNN. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Sixth person listed on lease of home where University of Idaho students were killed: cops". New York Post.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mike Baker and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs (November 19, 2022). "New Details Emerge in University of Idaho Killings: What We Know; The phone log of one victim showed a series of unanswered calls to her longtime boyfriend the night of the attack in Moscow, Idaho, her sister revealed. The police have not identified a suspect." Archived November 20, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times.
- ^ "University Of Idaho Horror: First Look Inside Home Where Four Students Stabbed To Death". MSN. November 21, 2022.
- ^ a b c Emily Shapiro (November 18, 2022). "Idaho college murders: 2 surviving roommates not believed to be involved, police say". ABC News.
- ^ a b c d e Sharif Paget, Caroll Alvarado, Eric Levenson, Amir Vera (November 17, 2022). "Food truck video of slain University of Idaho students offers timeline of their final hours". CNN.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Marisa Iati and Justine McDaniel (November 19, 2022). "What we know about Idaho students’ killing," The Washington Post.
- ^ a b c Garrett Cabeza (November 19, 2022). "University of Idaho Students Were Found Dead in Their Beds, May Have Been Sleeping When Attacked, Coroner Says". The Daily Chronicle.
- ^ "Saturday night video of #Moscow Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves & Madison Mogen at food truck hours before 1122 King Road tragedy #UniversityofIdaho". TikTok. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f [1]
- ^ a b Casey Frizzell (November 18, 2022). "Latest Info | Moscow PD: 9-1-1 call came from inside house where 4 U of I students were killed". krem.com.
- ^ a b Garrett Cabeza (November 19, 2022). "'You're seeing things that humans probably shouldn't see': Killings of 4 UI students leave mental toll on officers". The Spokesman-Review.
- ^ staff, KLEW News (November 23, 2022). "Moscow homicide update Nov. 23". KLEW. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ^ "'No bit of information is too small' | Police give new details on investigation into 4 University of Idaho students murdered near campus". krem.com. November 23, 2022.
- ^ a b Debusmann, Bernd (December 5, 2022). "Idaho students murders: Roommates break silence over killed friends". BBC News. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Joseph Wilkinson and Jessica Schladebeck (November 19, 2022). "University of Idaho stabbing victim called ex-boyfriend 7 times before her death, sister says". The New York Daily News.
- ^ Sabes, Adam (November 19, 2022). "Idaho university murders: Police reveal key details about events surrounding stabbing of 4 students". Fox News.
- ^ Celina Van Hyning, Francesca Maxine Vista (November 20, 2022). "Latest Info | Moscow PD: Other friends were at the home where officers responded to U of I murders". krem.com.
- ^ Baker, Mike; Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas (November 23, 2022). "1,000 Tips, No Suspects: Latest on the University of Idaho Killings". The New York Times. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Collins, Terry (November 18, 2022). "Four University of Idaho students were slain in their beds while they slept: What we know". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ Levenson, Christina Zdanowicz,Sara Smart,Eric (November 18, 2022). "They were 'amazing people and were loved so much': Here's what we know about the University of Idaho victims". CNN. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Velasquez, Anna (November 14, 2022). "University of Idaho cancels classes to honor student victims". KLEW. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ Brianda Perez (November 15, 2022). "Vigil for 4 University of Idaho students murdered near campus scheduled for after fall break". krem.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Academic Calendar for 2022–2023" (PDF). (Moscow, Idaho): University of Idaho. 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Palermo, Angela (November 20, 2022). "'Not feeling safe,' University of Idaho students are craving information, fleeing Moscow". Idaho Statesman. (Boise, Idaho). Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "‘Targeted’ Killings and No Arrest Bring Fear to University of Idaho," The New York Times, November 21, 2022.
- ^ Angela Palermo (November 16, 2022). "University of Idaho students flee, seek information on stabbing deaths". The Seattle Times.
- ^ Patrick Jackson (November 19, 2022). "University of Idaho students stabbed to death in their beds". BBC.
- ^ Sally Krutzig and Shaun Goodwin (November 19, 2022). "How did things unfold before, after University of Idaho killings? A timeline of events". East Idaho News.
- ^ Nicholas K. Gerantos (November 18, 2022). "University of Idaho students were stabbed to death in their beds, coroner says". KCRA.
- ^ Aya Elamroussi, Veronica Miracle (November 18, 2022). "University of Idaho students were 'likely asleep' before being attacked, police say as search for answers intensifies". CNN.
- ^ a b "University of Idaho murders: Here's what we know". ktvb.com. November 20, 2022.
- ^ McLaughlin, Natasha Chen,Paradise Afshar,Steve Almasy,Eliott C. (November 23, 2022). "Police say investigators in University of Idaho quadruple homicide have looked at more than 1,000 tips but still no suspect". CNN.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ 'Hoodie Guy' Seen With Idaho Victims At Food Truck Was Allegedly Kicked Out Of Fraternity & Has Left The Country
- ^ Tariq, Haadiya. "One week later, police continue homicide investigation". The Argonaut.
- ^ "Police are investigating "hundreds" of tips that one of the Idaho stabbings victims had a stalker". CBS News. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ Epperly, Emma (November 21, 2022). "Social media spreads troubling rumors in University of Idaho student-deaths investigation". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ Muzaffar, Maroosha (November 25, 2022). "Police tell Idaho victim's family only one of the slain students was the target". MSN. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- 2022 in Idaho
- Attacks in the United States in 2022
- Deaths by stabbing in Idaho
- Knife attacks
- Mass stabbings in the United States
- Massacres in 2022
- Moscow, Idaho
- November 2022 crimes in the United States
- Stabbing attacks in 2022
- University of Idaho
- Unsolved crimes in the United States
- Violence against women in the United States
- Unsolved mass murders in the United States
- 2022 murders in the United States