ID - 4 University of Idaho Students Died in Apparent Homicide - Moscow #2

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Emerald1328 said:
Kernodle says there’s one thing the autopsy shows for certain. Xana, a strong-willed woman, fought her killer to the very end. “Bruises, torn by the knife. She’s a tough kid. Whatever she wanted to do, she could do it,” Kernodle said.
www.azfamily.com

‘She’s a tough kid’: Avondale father says University of Idaho student killed fought her attacker

The father is now struggling to understand how this could have happened.
www.azfamily.com www.azfamily.com
Click to expand...
I’d like to know if that’s on the autopsy report or his assumption? In the Delphi case it was repeated for years that Libby put up a fight only to find out from LE years later that was not the case.
 
Emerald1328 said:
Kernodle says there’s one thing the autopsy shows for certain. Xana, a strong-willed woman, fought her killer to the very end. “Bruises, torn by the knife. She’s a tough kid. Whatever she wanted to do, she could do it,” Kernodle said.
www.azfamily.com

‘She’s a tough kid’: Avondale father says University of Idaho student killed fought her attacker

The father is now struggling to understand how this could have happened.
www.azfamily.com www.azfamily.com
Click to expand...
From the article: BBM
“The door locks with a number code. Every time you go, you have to go around the house because of the number code so they either knew that or went around and maybe found the slider door open,” he said.

“Her and Ethan were together about a year, give or take. And she, really, when I went up there she, I saw her just a week before that and she changed a lot. She had a life. She got to see what it was like to have a boyfriend you live with.

Kernodle says there’s one thing the autopsy shows for certain. Xana, a strong-willed woman, fought her killer to the very end. “Bruises, torn by the knife. She’s a tough kid. Whatever she wanted to do, she could do it,” Kernodle said.
 
If the killer used the keypad entry, are there finger prints on it?

This crime scene is described as so gorey- did the killer wear a disposable suit and gloves? I do not see that kind of prep for a young person filled with homicidal rage over a real or imagined rejection, IMO.
 
iamnotagolem said:
I’d like to know if that’s on the autopsy report or his assumption? In the Delphi case it was repeated for years that Libby put up a fight only to find out from LE years later that was not the case.
Click to expand...
I don’t know. Those are some pretty specific wounds he’s mentioning so I would think he has some information of the findings. I don’t think anyone in the Delphi case ever said why they thought they put up a fight but I may be mistaken.
 
Lilibet said:
Just guessing…It probably wouldn’t take long unless they ran into something unusual. In the case of David Grubbs, who was almost decapitated by a swordlike weapon in my area eleven years ago, the FBI was sent information to analyze and determine the type and size of the weapon. IIRC it took several months. Normally, the FBI wouldn’t need to be consulted, but in David’s case it was necessary in order to be more precise. For all that, his attacker has never been identified.
Click to expand...
I am hopelessly behind so forgive me if this has been mentioned, but: These students and David Grubbs, all around the same age, all killed with a bladed weapon of unknown type. The two sites about ten hours apart, which is a bit of a distance but not insurmountable. Eleven years apart which could correspond to someone's prison term being fully served. I'm probably pulling stuff out of my ear, but I wonder if it would serve LE to look into it.
 
Seattle1 said:
Keyword = bedding. Generally, people are in bed sleeping at 3 AM.

DNA samples, including from the clothing, and bedding, still need to be tested at a forensics lab.
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Not to be argumentative or graphic but we would expect people to be sleeping at 3 am but having the bedding at the lab does not imply that necessarily to me. They could be interested in the bedding for sexual assault reasons only.
 
citizen_sleuth said:
What if the perpetrator snuck in via the sliding glass door in the kitchen on the 2nd floor after one of the girls opened it to let the dog out and then closed it while the dog was still outside? Do we know where the dog was found?
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I have not come across any news of where the dog was that night ...Just happy to know that the cute fella is unharmed.
 
Sonny Crockett said:
I've been following this horrific case in the news. AFAIK & based on what I've read so far, it doesn't sound like the authorities know much about the motive here.

I.e., were these four victims specifically targeted by someone due to a long-term grudge?! Was the perp. a spurned love interest?! Was this a virtual stranger that they angered (unintentionally/intentionally) at a club/bar/somewhere else that night & were they followed home?! Was there more than one perp?!

Or, was this just a random attack by a crazed psychopath?!

Also haven't heard if the house was burglarized and/or if anything was stolen in the house.
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The police don't have a motive, at least not one that has been released publicly, but the nature of the crime has consistently been described using horrific terms.
The victims were college students who were living in a very small town of 25,850. The University of Idaho has an enrollment of 11,507 students. The crime rate in Moscow is 82% lower than the national average. 9 Reasons to Fall in Love with Moscow
FBI crime tables show your chances of being a victim of a violent crime—any violent crime—in Moscow are 1 in 3,717.
ucr.fbi.gov

Idaho

ucr.fbi.gov

The university is also known as incredibly safe and welcoming. There's even a path called the "Hello Walk" that the university president walks and greets all the students.
I know it's human nature to want to imagine a "why," but it's also really important to remember there's nothing in the media or law enforcement statements that would suggest these victims were at an increased risk compared to the general population of that town. Law enforcement is having to respond to stupid rumors started by people who don't even live in the area or know the people involved.
There was a completely unrelated police incident in Spokane County (not going to name the town) on Monday that happened to be in the neighborhood where a relative of one of the victims lives. Some keyboard warriors on Twitter immediately began speculating that law enforcement was shutting down roads because the family member lived nearby, which was the farthest thing from the truth. Two of the victims' families live in the next town over from me. I cannot imagine what they are going through right now. Please don't add to it by imaging ways their kids might have been at fault.
 
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<modsnip>
To my knowledge the person who threatened others with a knife has been confirmed to not be related to this incident.

www.khq.com

University of Idaho knife threat suspect identified

The Moscow Police Department has identified the suspect accused of threatening University of Idaho students with a knife.
www.khq.com www.khq.com
 
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diggndeeperstill said:
Not to be argumentative or graphic but we would expect people to be sleeping at 3 am but having the bedding at the lab does not imply that necessarily to me. They could be interested in the bedding for sexual assault reasons only.
Click to expand...
Agreed, one/ some of the victims could have just been in their bedrooms awake, potentially could have even been attempting to run from whoever did this and ran into bedroom
 
Just UPDATED the TIMELINE in the MEDIA thread after today's autopsy report. Marking some items specifically in ORANGE as debunked rumors, since there seem to be a lot of those in this particular case, and added a few of the images posted earlier in this thread. (I'd saved them to my computer and forgot to jot down who posted them -- if you'd like credit, let me know and I'll add your username!)

wnk said:
***UPDATED NOV 17, NEW INFO IN RED***

VICTIMS:
EC = Ethan Chapin [IG / FB], a 20-year-old from Conway, Washington [1]; freshman, member of Sigma Chi fraternity majoring in recreation, sport and tourism management in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. [7]; school indicates hometown was Mount Vernon, WA [9]; one of triplets that all attended UofI[36]; staying overnight with his girlfriend XK [39] "lived with" XK according to XK's family [56]
FAMILY INTERVIEW: NOV 15

XK = Xana Kernodle [IG / TikTok / FB], 20, from Avondale, Arizona [1]; junior from Post Falls majoring in marketing in the College of Business and Economics, member of Pi Beta Phi sorority [7]; dating EC, worked as server at Mad Greek restaurant [36]

MM = Madison Mogen [IG / TikTok / FB], a 21-year-old from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho [1]; senior majoring in marketing in the College of Business and Economics, member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority [7]; worked as server at Mad Greek restaurant [36]; planned to move to Boise after graduation in spring [53]

KG = Kaylee Goncalves [IG / TikTok / FB], 21, from Rathdrum, Idaho [1]; senior majoring in general studies in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, member of the Alpha Phi sorority [7]; middle of five children, owner of a dog named Murphy [31], was going to start a new tech job in TX in Jan [36]; had recently purchased a 2016 Range Rover; planned to travel to Europe next year [53]
FAMILY INTERVIEW: NOV 15 | NOV 16

ZILLOW DESCRIPTION/PICS OF RESIDENCE
RESIDENCE PICS FROM MEDIA:
View attachment 380501
View attachment 380502


TIMELINE

~LATE 2021 ("about a year, give or take")
EC and XK begin relationship [56]

AUG 16
MM posts a "meet the roommates" image on IG [12]

AUG 22
MM posts a "first day of school" image on IG [11]

SEP 12
POSSIBLY UNRELATED: man threatened students on UofI campus with a knife [35]; students were walking to Greek Row, non-student flashed a knife to threaten students, turned self into law enforcement; cannot say whether it is connected [47]

OCT 29
XK's final IG post, wishing EC a happy birthday [13]

F NOV 11
  • MM's final IG post [10]
  • KG's final texts with her sister [31]
Sa NOV 12
  • KG's final IG post w roommates [15]
  • EC attends a dance at his sister's sorority as her date; his other triplet brother went with his sister's roommate [53]
  • PM - neighbors hear loud music from somewhere "in the neighborhood"; did NOT hear screaming or gunshots [33]
  • PM - neighbors report "hearing noise from the house Saturday evening but said it sounded like a party rather than an altercation." [40]; Rumor debunked: Moscow PD states there is no indication of party at the residence [47]
  • ~12PM - XK last contact with family [56]

Su NOV 13 - DEATH OF VICTIMS, BODIES DISCOVERED
day 1 of investigation at residence
  • [TIME?] - MM & KG took Uber to get food [43@0:45]
  • 1:33AM - 1:53AM [41] - MM & KG seen on Twitch video from Grub Truck food truck [38], where they order pasta; manager states they were "slightly intoxicated" [41] - VIDEO from Gray Hughes Investigates
  • after 1:45AM - EC & XK arrived home from a party; MM & KG arrived home from a bar [47]; MM & KG took Uber home, let dog out, locked house up [43@0:45]
  • ISP stated (cf Nov 17) that they believe suspect came in through sliding glass door [55]
  • 3AM-4AM - Estimated time of death [9]
  • 11:58AM [20] - LE respond to "a report of an unconscious person" (later verified to be one of the deceased [30]); according to EC's mother, bodies were found by "a friend" [32] who does not live in the house [39]; fire and EMS also on scene but did not go into residence [1]; First responders "discovered four individuals who were deceased" [20] - EC was found on floor of second level [36]; officers describe a bloody crime scene, "especially on upper floors of the house" [37]
  • ~12PM - coroner informed of 4 homicides [45@0:15]
  • 2:16 PM - UofI FB post advises students to shelter in place due to investigation of homicide on King St [3]
  • 2:51 PM - UofI FB post lifts shelter-in-place, states that LE are still investigating death of 4 people but do not believe there is an active threat [4]
  • ~5PM - 5:30PM - coroner arrives on scene [45@0:30]
  • 5:25PM - UofI FB post states that LE is still investigating, but there is no ongoing threat [5]
  • 9:17 PM - University president posts on FB about deaths, cancels class for M Nov 14, offers counseling resources [6]
  • PM - neighbors state they saw police, "group of women crying while draped in emergency blankets" [33]

M NOV 14 - DECLARED A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
day 2 of investigation at residence
  • online and in-person classes at University canceled [1]

  • [TIME?] LE questioned manager of Moscow Building Supply about whether they carry KA-BAR knives, which they do not [44]
  • 12:50 PM - MSM reports that 4 students found dead near campus [1]
  • 12:21 PM - UofI FB posts identities of victims [7], states "Moscow police do not believe there is an ongoing community risk based on information gathered during the preliminary investigation" [8]
  • 1:31 PM - search dogs at scene [29]
  • 1:49 PM - MSM reports that it is being treated as homicide investigation [2]
  • PM - Rumor debunked: LE verifies that none of the deceased students are believed to be responsible for the deaths. [9], Rumor debunked: county coroner verifies it was NOT a murder-suicide [17]
  • 5:56PM - Mayor refuses to confirm NYT's "crime of passion" description [21], states it is one possibility [32]
  • PM - media tries to canvas neighbors, who decline to make a comment, "most" stating that they didn't really know the victims; state that police had previously canvassed neighborhood as well [32]

Tu NOV 15 - PRELIMINARY CAUSE OF DEATH RELEASED: STABBING
day 3 of investigation at residence
  • Moscow PD release statement - "Evidence indicates that this was a targeted attack." [16]
  • Some students, feeling unsafe, leave early for Thanksgiving break [18]
  • Coroner calls the scene "gruesome" [34] (comment possibly taken out of context[see 45@3:45]); does not believe toxicology report will be relevant [45@3:00]; did not know timeframe of death [45@3:00]; declines to comment on where bodies were found [45@4:20]
  • DailyMail (TABLOID) posts image they claim is blood "oozing" out of residence; state that scene was "the worst [police] had ever seen; "there was blood everywhere;" "have never seen anything like this"; trash taken to garbage depot [36]
  • KG's family interview states that door had a keypad code [42@1:45]

  • 8:36AM - vigil postponed until after Thanksgiving [28] - cf W Nov 16
  • 11:24AM - LE press release states they are still searching for "an edged weapon such as a knife" that was used in attack [27]
  • 2:07PM - LE stop garbage truck from leaving residence, as they have not recovered weapon [26]
  • 2:40PM - bodies in Spokane County, autopsies to take place on Wed; preliminary findings show stabbing as cause of death; "a lot of blood;" [25] Rumor debunked: no indication of substance use [25]
  • 4:25PM - confirmed that FBI is working with local LE [19]
  • 6:36PM - county prosecutor states there is a sealed warrant issued at residence; "a handful of other warrants" in the works [24]
  • 7:11PM - Families of MM & KG release statement calling for justice [23]

W NOV 16 - PRESS CONFERENCE
day 4 of investigation at residence
  • AM - Video shared online of MM & KG at Grub Truck food truck [38] - cf Su NOV 13
  • Parents speak out against LE & school for "lack of information [40]
  • Manager of Moscow Building Supply states that LE questioned them "more than once" about whether they carry KA-BAR knives, including on M Nov 14; he states they do not [44] - cf M NOV 14

  • 3:30PM - news conference planned by ISP & Moscow PD [22] - transcribed by @Allabouttrial HERE
    • Moscow PD chief speaks
      • victims arrived home after 1:45 AM from party (EC & XK) and bar (MM & KG) [47] - cf Su Nov 13
      • no sign of forced entry - no damage to anything; door was open when LE arrived [47]
      • autopsies taking place today [47]
      • reviewing crime scene evidence, video, etc [47]
      • do not have a suspect, weapon, or clothing of suspect at this time - cannot say there is no threat to community [47]
      • Rumor debunked: no indication of party at the residence [47] - cf Sa Nov 12
      • there were ("we believe 2") other people (roommates) home at the time of the attack; was not a hostage situation and were not injured; they were present at residence when LE arrived; declines to comment on what they have stated [47]
      • declines to comment on who the 911 caller was [47]
      • has not identified anything missing/stolen from the residence [47]
      • declines to comment on location of bodies within the residence [47]
      • Sep 12 incident - students were walking to Greek Row, non-student flashed a knife to threaten students, turned self into law enforcement; cannot say whether it is connected [47] - cf Sep 12
  • 5PM - vigil held in Coeur d' Alene, ID [46]
  • 5PM - vigil planned on University's Administration Lawn [9] - vigil postponed as of T NOV 15 [28] rescheduled to NOV 30 [34]

TH NOV 17 - AUTOPSY PERFORMED & CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH CONFIRMED
day 5 of investigation at residence
  • Rumor debunked: KTVB reporter verifies that there have been no record of KG calling police between Jan1-Nov13 [48]
  • ISP patrolling near Moscow schools Th & Fri; "no need to be alarmed" [49]
  • increased LE activity noted at residence; increased number of tips coming in [50]; LE confirms they are canvassing area for fixed-blade weapon purchases [48]
  • phones of victims still being held as evidence [53]
  • KG's dog Murphy has been returned to secondary owner [54]
  • ISP stated that they believe suspect came in through sliding glass door [55] - cf Su Nov 13

  • [TIME?] autopsies completed and bodies released to victims' families [51]
  • PM - coroner's report released confirming official cause of death: homicide-murder / manner of death: stabbing with "large knife"; DNA samples (including those on "bedding") still being tested; some wounds may have been defensive [52]; family states XK had "bruises, torn by the knife" that would indicate that she fought back [56]


SOURCES:
[1] 4 University of Idaho students found dead near campus - 6ABC - Nov 14
[2] Four university students found dead near campus - MirrorUK - Nov 14
[3] UofI FB - Nov 13
[4] UofI FB - Nov 13
[5] UofI FB - Nov 13
[6] UofI FB - Nov 13
[7] UofI FB - Nov 14
[8] UofI FB - Nov 14
[9] 4 Slain University of Idaho students are victims - ElkoDaily - Nov 14
[10] MM Instagram - Nov 11
[11] MM Instagram - Aug 22
[12] MM Instagram - Aug 16
[13] XK Instagram - Oct 29
[14] EC Instagram - May 13
[15] KG Instagram - Nov 12
[16] Moscow PD - Nov 15
[17] @NickAtNews (NYT) tweet - Nov 14
[18] @NickAtNews (NYT) tweet THREAD - Nov 15
[19] @NickAtNews (NYT) tweet - Nov 15
[20] Four university of Idaho Students discovered dead - Law&Crime - Nov 15
[21] @AndrewBaertlein (KTVB) tweet - Nov 14
[22] @AndrewBaertlein (KTVB) tweet - Nov 16
[23] @estherbower_TV (KXLY) tweet - Nov 15
[24] @estherbower_TV (KXLY) tweet - Nov 15
[25] @estherbower_TV (KXLY) tweet THREAD - Nov 15
[26] @estherbower_TV (KXLY) tweet THREAD - Nov 15
[27] @estherbower_TV (KXLY) tweet THREAD - Nov 15
[28] @estherbower_TV (KXLY) tweet - Nov 15
[29] @estherbower_TV (KXLY) tweet - Nov 14
[30] @dugganreports (KTVB) tweet - Nov 15
[31] Family of alleged Moscow homicide victim remembers - Nov 14
[32] Suspect sought in U of I deaths - Idaho Statesman - Nov 15
[33] Four U of I students died in senseless act of violence - LM Tribute - Nov 14
[34] Homicide investigation underway - KHQ - Nov 15
[35] Man reportedly threatened students with knife - ISJ - Sep 15
[36] Blood oozes through walls of home - DailyMail (TABLOID) - Nov 15
[37] University of Idaho homicide victims - FoxNews - Nov 15
[38] @johnwebbtv (KHQ-TV) - Nov 16
[39] 4 Idaho students killed in 'targeted attack' - ABCNews - Nov 16
[40] Slain university of Idaho victims' parents frustrated - ABCNews - Nov 16
[41] Chilling video shows 2 of the 4 - DailyMail (TABLOID) - Nov 16
[42] Extended interview with the family of Kaylee Goncalves VIDEO - KHQ - Nov 15
[43] Idaho College Students murdered in 'Crime of Passion' VIDEO - Inside Edition - Nov 16
[44] Police investigation narrows to search for combat-style knife - Idaho Statesman - Nov 16
[45] Latah County Coroner says all four students killed near University of Idaho were victims - KREM - Nov 15
[46] @estherbower_TV (KXLY) tweet - Nov 16
[47] Moscow Police Dept Press Conference - Nov 16
[48] @dugganreports (KTVB) tweet THREAD - Nov 17
[49] @AbbyDavisKTVB tweet - Nov 17
[50] @esterbower_TV (KXLY) tweet - Nov 17
[51] Mystery surrounds stabbing deaths - WTOP - Nov 17
[52] Autopsies confirm cause of death for UofI students - DNews.com - Nov 17
[53] Slain Idaho students leave behind bright memories... - AP News - Nov 17
[54] @KREMAmandaRoley tweet - Nov 17
[55] @KREMAmandaRoley tweet - Nov 17
[56] She's a tough kid... - AZFamily - Nov 17
Click to expand...
 
GMS said:
I know there has been a lot of discussion about the weapon believed to be a specific type of knife.
I'm curious from fellow sleuthers, do you think the suspect/s bought the knife specifically for this attack? or previously owned or had access to it?
Does owning this type of knife and/or purchasing it reflect something about the inidivdual/s? Not trying to stereotype here, just trying to "profile" or get a better sense of the suspect/s.
I would assume (imo) that the suspect was more comfortable with a knife, but also would not generate the noise / disturbance that a gun or other weapon might create.
Click to expand...
I'd guess that at least 20% of the adult male population owns a tactical/military knife. They are "as common as dirt". You can't draw much of an inference about someone just because he owns a tactical or military-style knife.
 
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