The Brutal Murders Of Four Idaho College Students Remain A Mystery

On Nov. 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death in a house in the town of Moscow, Idaho, near the university campus. According to The New York Times, the crime spree is a mystery, but it’s believed to be a targeted attack that happened between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Three of the victims were residents of the home where the attack happened: 21-year-old Madison Mogen, 21-year-old Kaylee Goncalves, and 20-year-old Xana Kernodle. A fourth victim, 20-year-old Ethan Chapin, was staying the night with Kernodle, his girlfriend, according to his mother.

Cathy Mabbutt, the Latah County coroner, determined that the cause of death for all four victims was homicide by stabbing. She said that they appeared to have been stabbed multiple times with a large knife, but no weapon has been recovered at the scene or elsewhere.

Two other female roommates lived in the home and are assumed to have slept through the entire attack. They were unharmed, and police said they don’t believe the surviving roommates were involved in the crime.

Authorities don’t yet know who the killer is or where they might have gone. Police also don’t know how the victims’ roommates were not awakened during the stabbings of four people that spanned two different floors of the home.

Moscow Mayor Art Bettge told ABC News that the killings appear to be a “one-off crime” that “was very focused and doesn't involve other students or the public in general at all.” Nevertheless, CNN reported that the community remains in crisis since so few details are known about the horrific murders. It is the first recorded murder in Moscow in seven years.

Scott Green, the University of Idaho president, said in a statement, "The university is working directly with those affected and is committed to supporting all students, families and employees as this event undeniably touches all of us."

He also shared, “We fully appreciate and share the frustration of our students, employees, parents and community members who continue to push for answers. While we wait for answers in the investigation, we've ramped up our security safety practices in our listening to students and supporting them in any way possible.”

According to CNN, police have already fielded at least 646 tips and have conducted more than 90 interviews. If you have any information related to this crime, call the Moscow Police Department at 208-882-2677.