While police have released more details on the case, misinformation still clouds the public’s perception.
The Moscow Police Department held its second press conference, a week after the discovery of the murders of four University of Idaho students.
“Please, please rely on official sources of information,” Idaho State Police Col. Kedrick Wills said. “And please be patient. I understand that everybody wishes that this was solved already, but these things take time.”
Rumors have circulated that the victims were bound and gagged before being killed. MPD Capt. Roger Lanier confirmed this to be false, with the police affirming that the victims were likely killed in their sleep. Each victim was stabbed multiple times with some having defensive wounds.
Addressing misinformation, Lanier said they do not believe the following individuals are suspects: a driver who took Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves home on Nov. 13, a man in a white hoodie seen at Grub Truck and the surviving two roommates. A man who was called multiple times by Madison and Kaylee that night has also been cleared according to Chief of Police James Fry.
Lanier said the two roommates arrived home at 1 a.m. on Nov. 13 and went to sleep. When police arrived, two victims were found on the second floor and two on the third floor.
The MPD could not release who made the 911 call at 11:58 a.m., but confirmed it was made with one of the surviving roommates’ phone from inside the residence. The call is not believed to have been made by the killer. When the police arrived, non-roommates were at the residence as well.
Police continue to search for a fixed-blade knife that is believed to have been used in the stabbings.
Considering all possibilities, police are unsure as to whether the suspect would still be within the community or outside, according to Fry.
“Detectives are looking to develop any context that would help us,” Fry said.
Tips can be called in at 208-883-7180 or emailed to [email protected].
The police are looking for surveillance videos that could help the investigations within the areas of West Taylor Avenue and West Palouse River Drive, and between Highway 95 and the UI Arboretum.
“We’ve ramped up our security and safety practices,” UI President Scott Green said.
Addressing previous claims by the MPD on safety, Green said he understands that, with little information, it may not be enough to make students feel safe.
Instructors are being told to plan for students who return and those who may want to be remote.
“We learned a lot during COVID and we have many course delivery options our faculty can deploy to meet student needs,” Green said.
The MPD continues to work in conjunction with the FBI, ISP and UI in its investigation.
“Nothing we can do will bring back these young lives,” Wills said. “But we have an absolute commitment to working together to solve these senseless murders.”
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq