Fact versus fiction: Confirmed information in Moscow’s murder investigation

As the investigation continues into the murders of four University of Idaho, here is the information on what has been confirmed about the night of the crime, as well as the details behind the legitimacy of some circulated rumors.  

What we know 

Earlier in the day before their murders, the MPD confirmed that Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen were seen at the Corner Club from 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m., then going to Grub Truck. From there, the pair returned to their home around 1:56 a.m., driven by a third party.  

Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were seen at the Sigma Chi fraternity house that evening and were believed to have returned to the 1122 King Road house by 1:45 a.m. 

Two other roommates arrived home at 1 a.m. and then went to sleep, according to MPD Capt. Roger Lanier. Chapin was the only one who did not live at the residence but was visiting.  

That morning, the two surviving roommates called friends to the home, believing one of the victims on the second floor had passed out. At 11:58 a.m., police received a call from a surviving roommate’s phone reporting an unconscious person.  

When police arrived, the roommates and additional friends were at the residence. Instead of an unconscious person, police discovered the four dead victims. Two victims were found on the second floor and two on the third floor.  

According to autopsies, the cause of death of the victims was stabbing, with each of them having been stabbed multiple times. Some showed defensive wounds.  

Separate from the autopsies, Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt said that the victims were most likely asleep, with no signs of sexual assault on the bodies.  

No suspect has been identified, with police still searching for what is believed to be a fixed-blade knife.  

There were no signs of forced entry at the residence. The front door has a keypad with a code that opens to the first floor and a sliding door in the back of the house leads to the second floor. Friends have said that the code to the home was not active.  

Police continue to maintain that the murders were likely a targeted and isolated incident.  

Fact versus fiction 

With the rumor mill hard at work, here are some unconfirmed and false information that has been circulating. 

Rumor: It was a murder-suicide. 

Early on, the police confirmed that the injuries made to the victims could not have been self-inflicted or the cause of a murder-suicide. 

Rumor: The roommates are suspects. 

The two surviving roommates have been ruled out as suspects and they have been cooperating with the police. As of now, the police have publicly ruled out several additional individuals: the man in the Grub Truck video, the driver who took Goncalves and Mogen home, the man Goncalves and Mogen called multiple times and all individuals at the residence when 911 was called. 

Rumor: A student was found dead under suspicious circumstances back in February.  

The death of Hannah Cleere was confirmed to have been an overdose by the MPD. On Twitter, Cleere’s father said he has seen the autopsy and toxicology report showing that she overdosed on over-the-counter sleep medication.  

“There was no evidence of foul play. Please respect my daughter’s memory,” Scott Cleere tweeted.  

Rumor: One of the girls had a stalker. 

This hasn’t been proven false, with police stating that the existence of a stalker could not be corroborated. MPD’s website addresses the potential of Goncalves having a stalker.

“Investigators have looked extensively into information received about Kaylee having a stalker. They have pursued hundreds of pieces of information related to this topic but have not verified or identified a stalker,” their website reads.  

An alleged stalking incident the night Goncalves was out with Mogen was proven to be false by MPD.

Rumor: It was a “crime of passion.” 

While this phrase has made its rounds in the media, quoting Moscow Mayor Art Bettge, he later corrected his usage of the phrase. He clarified to the Idaho Statesman that a crime of passion was a possibility, not that it was confirmed. Still, the phrase remains in many headlines.  

Rumor: Two women were chased by a man sitting in the front seat of their car. 

On Nov. 22, one of the women open the door to her car and said she saw a man sitting in the seat. She then proceeded to slam the door and went running and screaming with her sister.  

Neighbors came out to assist and search for the alleged man, but did not find anyone. The neighbors told police they did not see anyone leave or enter the vehicle. Another passerby had told the sisters they saw a man chasing them, but left before police arrived to confirm details. The police ultimately closed the case as unfounded. 

Rumor: Man with a knife on campus in September is involved. 

A rumor the MPD has debunked multiple times, the man got into an altercation with a group on Paradise Path on Sept. 12. He flashed his folding knife and the group dispersed. Later, the man turned himself. 

Rumor: There is no threat. 

While the MPD still maintains that the homicides were likely “an isolated, targeted attack,” they are unable to confirm that there is no threat to the community. 

“We cannot say there is no threat to the community,” Chief of Police James Fry said, walking back previous claims. 

Rumor: A dog was skinned and killed by the murderer.  

Discovered three weeks before the murders, the MPD has said they do not believe that the incident is connected.  

Confusion has also come from the connection to a dog at the victims’ residence. After the murders, the dog was found unharmed. 

Rumor: The victims were tied and gagged.  

More information has since come out, pointing to the victims having been killed in their sleep. This speculation has been proven false by police.  

Rumor: Suspicious student death in May.

Freshman Hudson Lindow’s death was ruled a drowning by MPD, with police having ruled out foul play the day of his passing. In previous interviews with The Argonaut, friends of Lindow warned against the dangers of being under the influence. 

“I think a big lesson is to know your limits when drinking and always walk home with friends,” Asa Lackey, former roommate, said.

The Argonaut will continue to update this article as the investigation continues and rumors persist. Last updated Dec. 8.

Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HaadiyaTariq