Since the murders of four University of Idaho students, information had gradually come out as the investigation continues. Here is a timeline of when and where certain details have be released.
Sunday, Nov. 13
The Argonaut’s coverage began Sunday at 1 p.m. with a Vandal Alert. Titled “Homicide Near Campus,” it recommended students shelter in place and avoid the King Road area where Moscow Police were investigating a homicide.
Later at 2:40 p.m., the university lifted the call for shelter in place. While the suspect was unknown, the MPD did not believe there was an active threat.
Around 5 p.m., MPD put out its first press release. According to the release, a call was made at 11:58 a.m. reporting an unconscious person. Once arriving at the home, police were met with four bodies.
The police confirmed later that night that the victims were UI students. UI announced the decision to cancel Monday classes around 9 p.m., with plans to resume class Tuesday.
Monday, Nov. 14
Around 10:30 a.m., Moscow Police released the names of the victims to the public. In this release, the MPD stated that it did not have a suspect, but still believed there was no active threat to the community.
UI later released a statement sharing more information about the victims and beginning plans for a candlelight vigil.
Tuesday, Nov. 15
Classes resumed at UI, with some professors opting to cancel or make classes optional.
Details of an edged weapon, like a knife, being used were released by the MPD, with full autopsies following later in the week. The MPD maintained that they believed it to be an isolated, targeted attack, with no threat to the community.
In an interview with the New York Times, Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt said the deaths were not a murder-suicide.
Wednesday, Nov. 16
The MPD held its first press conference, with Police Chief James Fry admitting that the it should have come sooner. Here, Fry discussed where the victims had been the night of their murders.
Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were out at a bar, the Corner Club. Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were at an on-campus party.
The police also confirmed that there were no signs of forced entry.
The Idaho State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation were confirmed to be a part of the investigation.
At the conference, UI administration said they had increased security on campus.
Thursday, Nov. 17
An official autopsy was released for the four victims with limited information due to the ongoing investigation. It confirmed the cause of deaths to be stabbings.
Friday, Nov. 18
In interviews with media, Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt revealed more details. She said there were defense wounds on some of the victims and that they were likely killed in their sleep.
Sunday, Nov. 20
Police held the second press conference regarding the murders on UI’s campus.
MPD Capt. Roger Lanier debunked rumors that victims were bound and gagged, instead confirming it was likely the victims were stabbed in their beds.
The MPD also ruled out multiple suspects: a driver who took Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves home on Nov. 13, a man in a white hoodie seen at Grub Truck, the two surviving roommates and a man called multiple times by Mogen and Goncalves that night, Chief of Police James Fry.
Police were unable to say who made the 911 call, but said it was from one of the roommates’ phone from inside the residence and not from the murderer.
Tuesday, Nov. 22
UI offered remote learning for the remainder of the semester as an option for students who would not want to return to Moscow.
Wednesday, Nov. 23
The police had been unable to corroborate the existence of a stalker, the MPD said in its third press conference.
Wednesday, Nov. 30
Police corrected the statements of Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson who said the residence was specifically targeted and that there was no suspicion of a connection to drugs. Instead, police said whether the residence was targeted and if there is a connection to drugs can not be ruled out or confirmed.
In the afternoon, UI’s candlelight vigil saw thousands of students mourning the deaths of their peers. Other cities across Idaho hosted vigils as well.
Wednesday, Dec. 1
Police are aware of a sixth person on the lease at King Road who was not home at the time of the attacks.
The MPD restated that they are under the belief that it was a targeted attack, but investigators still have not concluded if the target was the residence or the occupants of the house.
Monday, Dec. 5
An alleged stalking incident the night Goncalves was out with Mogen was proved to be false by MPD.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
The MPD requested tips from the public in identifying a white 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra. They believed the vehicle was in the area during the morning hours of Nov. 13.
The personal effects of the victims began to be moved into a truck by MPD. The police requested that the public keep the road clear to keep the transfer of personal effects private in respect of the victims’ families.
The MPD also released a recorded interview with Police Chief James Fry about the process of the investigation team.
The Argonaut will continue to update the timeline as the investigation continues. Last updated Dec. 8.
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq