Police in Moscow, Idaho, have released the names of four University of Idaho students killed over the weekend in an apparent homicide. The victims are: Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee GonCalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho.
The four victims appeared to be friends based on their social media interactions and posted a photo with two other friends just hours before they were found dead on Sunday. According to University of Idaho President Scott Green, Mogen and Kernodle were in the same sorority; Goncalves was a member of a different sorority, and Chapin was a fraternity member (who had recently celebrated his birthday). Green said in a Monday statement that the students are “believed to be victims of homicide.”
The Moscow Police Department (MPD) responded on Sunday to reports of an unconscious person on King Road – near the university’s golf course and adjacent to Greek Row – just before noon, and found the four deceased students upon arrival. The MPD said in a Monday afternoon statement: “Details are limited in this investigation Currently, there is no one in custody,” adding that the department and city are “deeply saddened for the families of these individuals, fellow students and friends, and [the] community during this time.”
Authorities do not believe there is an active threat to the community, and are expected to release more information regarding the students’ deaths at a later time. Police investigating the incident are asking anyone with information to contact the Moscow Police Department at 208-882-COPS (2677).
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