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Autopsy findings have been released for the four University of Idaho students who were murdered at an off-campus home, officially ruling them stabbing murders. Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt confirmed that each victim suffered multiple stab wounds with “a larger knife,” describing their injuries as “pretty extensive.” DNA samples have been taken from the crime scene as the hunt for the killer or killers continues, with no suspects named and no arrests five days into the investigation. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were found dead inside a home in the small college town of Moscow, Idaho, around noon Sunday. Police were called to the home for a report of an unconscious person and arrived to find a gruesome crime scene. Two surviving roommates were in the home at the time of the murders and were still there when officers arrived. Idaho State Police spokesman Aaron Snell said the two female students could be “the key to this whole thing.”
University of Idaho Murders:
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Kaylee Gocalve had big plans for her future before she was murdered
Goncalves was a senior majoring in general studies at the University of Idaho. She was a month away from completing her degree. Her family said that after college, she planned to travel to Europe. “She had everything going for her, absolutely everything,” her sister, Alivea Goncalves, told NBC’s TODAY show. “She had her work cut out for her. He had worked very hard for it.” Andrea Blanco November 18, 2022 12:00 p.m 1668771625
Timeline: What we know so far
Officials in the small town of Moscow, Idaho, have been a bit cryptic about what happened to four University of Idaho students who were murdered last weekend. So far, neither the suspect nor the murder weapon have been located, and police have warned the small town of 25,000 to remain vigilant. So what exactly happened in the hours before and after the students’ bodies were discovered? Here is the best timeline we have right now. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar November 18, 2022 11:40 am 1668769800
The victim’s sister urges the students to leave Moscow
Family members of the victims slammed law enforcement for their response. “No one is in custody, so no one is safe,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “If you have friends, family or loved ones in Moscow, our family encourages you to take them home,” he added. Andrea Blanco November 18, 2022 11:10 am 1668768625
Idaho State Police Search for Ka-Bar Knife
Scott Jutte, the general manager of Moscow Building Supply, revealed that police have been found several times looking for Ka-Bar knives. Combat knives typically have a six-inch long blade with a smooth edge on one side and a serrated edge on the other. They became popular with the US military after they were first adopted by the US Marines during World War II. While Ka-Bar is actually the brand name of Ka-Bar Knives Inc, the name is now used to describe any knife with a similar blade design. Mr Jutte described the blades as “similar to the knife that Rambo has” – referring to the Sylvester Stallone character. “They specifically asked whether or not we carry Ka-Bar knives, which we don’t,” he said of the officers. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar November 18, 2022 10:50 am 1668767400
Ethan Chapin’s family accuses law enforcement of ‘lack of information’
Family members of the victims have slammed law enforcement for their handling of the information released to the public. Chapin’s father, Jim Chapin, urged local police to provide more information about the murders. “There is a lack of information from the University of Idaho and local police, which only feeds false rumors and innuendo in the press and social media,” Mr. Chapin said. “The silence further intensifies our family’s anguish after our son’s murder. For Ethan and his three dear friends who were killed in Moscow, Idaho and all of our families, I urge officials to tell the truth, share what they know, find the perpetrator and protect the greater community.” Andrea Blanco November 18, 2022 10:30 am 1668766225
The victim’s body had “bruises,” the father says
Jeff Kernodle, the father of slain University of Idaho student Zanna Kernodle, said his daughter had “bruises” on her body, indicating she put up a fight against the killer. “Bruised, torn from the knife,” Mr. Kernodle told CBS 5. “He’s a tough kid. Whatever he wanted to do, he could do it.” Alisha Rahaman Sarkar November 18, 2022 10:10 am 1668765000
The victims were last seen alive on footage just hours before the murders
In the early hours of Sunday morning, Maddison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were spotted stopping by a local food truck for a late night bite. Twitch footage, seen by The Independent, captured the two best friends arriving at the food truck at around 1.41am. An unknown man is seen walking with them, before backing away as they approach the truck. Mogen and Goncalves climb into the truck and order food, while the man stands a few meters behind them – before pulling his hood over his head. In the next 10 minutes, the group of youths and students are seen laughing and chatting as they wait for their orders. The man is seen chatting and laughing with another man in line, while Mogen and Goncalves are seen laughing and joking with each other and taking pictures. When their food is ready, Mogen and Goncalves leave together, walk away from the truck and turn left. The Independent’s Io Dodds and Rachel Sharp have the story: Andrea Blanco 18 November 2022 09:50 1668763825
The FBI joins the investigation into the murder of four students
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined the investigation into the fatal stabbing of four University of Idaho students, as detectives admit the killer or killers are still at large. Moscow Police Chief James Fry said the FBI joined the Latah County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police in investigating the killings. “Right now, we have 25-plus investigators working on this case,” he said. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 November 2022 09:30 1668762600
University security threatened with a knife two months ago
The warning, described as “Knife Threat”, said a group of students were walking through campus when the man threatened them with a knife. “The Moscow Police Department received a report that a group of students were walking between the Steam Plant parking lot (Lot #14) and the Student Recreation Center on Paradise Path and were threatened by an individual with a knife,” it said. The assailant is described as a white male between the ages of 18 and 22, who was dressed in black. No one was injured in the incident, but officials felt the need to notify students and staff of the threat. Andrea Blanco18 November 2022 09:10 1668761425
Surviving roommates could be “key” to solving the case, police say
Idaho State Police spokesman Aaron Snell said the two surviving roommates could be the “key” to solving the fatal stabbing of four University of Idaho students. “They may be witnesses, they may be victims,” Mr. Snell told ABC News. The two roommates were present at the house when the four students were stabbed to death. However, they were unharmed and no hostages were taken, police revealed earlier this week. The spokesman said the two roommates were “working and talking with detectives and being cooperative.” He added that the roommates were not the ones calling 911. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 November 2022 08:50
