There is a new break in the case of the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students in the town of Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, as police now want to speak to the owner or occupants of a 2011–2013 white Hyundai Elantra spotted on the morning of the murders near the home where the students were killed.
Moscow Police Department detectives say the vehicle has an unknown license plate number and are asking for the community’s help in locating the car and its owner.
“Tips and leads have led investigators to look for additional information about a vehicle being in the immediate area of the King Street residence during the early morning hours of November 13th. Investigators believe the occupant(s) of this vehicle may have critical information to share regarding this case,” police said in a news release (pdf).
The victims who were murdered in the off-campus residence have been identified as 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin and 21-year-olds Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen.
The Latah County Coroner’s office determined the cause and manner of death was homicide by stabbing. The coroner said the victims were likely asleep, that some had defensive wounds, and that each was stabbed multiple times. There was no sign of sexual assault, and the police have not recovered the murder weapon.
Investigators have looked extensively into information received about Goncalves having a stalker, but police said they’ve not been able to verify the reports.
Throughout the investigation, detectives have received over 2,770 calls to their tip line, over 2,600 emails, and more than 1,000 digital media submissions from the public.
The case has put the tight-knit community of Moscow on edge, as it’s been over three weeks since the murders took place and a suspect has not been identified or apprehended.
“We have heard from many of you about how you hope we will proceed as a university after Fall Break. Each idea, concern, and fear has been heard and considered,” University of Idaho President C. Scott Green stated in a message posted on the school’s website. “We will strive to respond accordingly. As such, faculty have been asked to prepare in-person teaching and remote learning options so that each student can choose their method of engagement for the final two weeks of the semester.”
The Moscow Police Department encourages anyone with information about the murders to contact their tip line at 208-883-7180.
