On Monday, officials identified four University of Idaho students. Their bodies were discovered in off-campus housing with apparent homicide injuries.
These four college students were named Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20. They were named by the Moscow, Idaho, Police Department.
Social media posts suggested that the four were friends.
Chapin, Kernodle, Mogen and Goncalves all appeared to be friends and even posted a photo together on Instagram just hours before they were found dead.#UniversityofIdaho pic.twitter.com/hC7KjLb3lO
— Simply_Stranger (@AngelsBokenHalo) November 14, 2022
How Did This Happen?
Chapin and Kernodle appeared to be in a relationship, as evidenced by Kernodle’s Instagram post celebrating Chapin’s birthday, in which she wrote a loving message to him.
According to authorities, Goncalves and Mogen were from Rathdrum and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, respectively. Chapin hailed from the state of Washington.
According to authorities, Kernodle was from Arizona, while school officials claimed she was from Post Falls, Idaho.
As per KREM2, the family of Goncalves recalled her as their “guardian” and praised her kind and strong personality.
Her sister Alivea noted that she was stern and impartial and always set out to achieve whatever she had in mind. Alivea further said that Kaylee was fearless in battle, life, and love.
The causes of death associated with the homicide investigation have not yet been disclosed, as details regarding the case remain scant.
Kaylee GonCalves and Madison Mogen were discovered dead in off-campus accommodation at the University of Idaho.
The police department stated via a press release that no one was currently in custody for the deaths.
Is The Community in Danger?
According to evidence acquired during the initial investigation, the Moscow Police Department does not feel there is a current threat to the community.
The mayor of Moscow, Art Bettge, told reporters on Monday that there was no threat to the general public, but he did not disclose how the deceased were slain or if a perpetrator was at large.
Cathy Mabbutt, the coroner of Latah County, informed the paper that examinations would be performed on Wednesday but threw out the possibility that this was a murder-suicide.
She stated that she could not provide more information without police authorization.
Today, we’re learning more about the four @uidaho victims found dead yesterday in a home near campus.@CityofMoscowId identified the victims as Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.
Below is a photo of Maddie and Kaylee, provided by family. @KREM2 pic.twitter.com/zsNTu9PEM5
— Janelle Finch // MMJanelle (@JFinchTV) November 14, 2022
Digging Deeper…
Authorities urged anyone with knowledge about this case to get in touch with them.
Chapin was a freshman and fellow of the Sigma Chi fraternity, while Kernodle was a junior specializing in marketing and a fellow of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, according to further information supplied by the university about the four deceased.
According to the university, Mogen was a senior specializing in marketing and Goncalves was a senior specializing in general studies.
The unfortunate finding on Sunday first prompted the institution to issue a shelter-in-place directive until authorities determined that there was no immediate threat to the public.
Moscow, located in north-central Idaho, has a population of about 25,000 and is approximately 80 miles from Spokane, Washington.
In addition, Monday classes were canceled out of respect for the four pupils whose lives were tragically cut short.
Counselors will be open to students at the university’s campus counseling facility, while staff can receive assistance through the program for employee assistance.
Green wrote that something of this scale could have grave consequences for the entire community. He added that as Vandals, they must stand together.
The entire state expressed condolences, including House Representative Mike Simpson who said everyone in the state is a “Vandal” today, referring to the college sports team.
This article appeared in NewsHouse and has been published here with permission.
