Police describe ‘worst crime scene ever’

The mystery remains over the deaths of four college students this weekend in Idaho. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee GonCalves, 21, were found dead in their apartment off the campus of the University of Idaho, where they were all enrolled. Police said in a statement on Tuesday that they had not found the murder weapon, but added that the four friends had likely been stabbed to death. On Wednesday, James Fry, chief of the Moscow city police, provided new details on this troubling case. He said that at the time of the tragedy there were two other roommates in the house, but the request for help was made only several hours later, reports the “New York Post”.

An Idaho State Police spokesman told US media the two roommates in question were female and would not be suspects. The spokesperson also said the two were cooperating with investigators. Moscow Mayor Art Bettge told Fox News earlier this week that the crime occurred around 3 or 4 on Sunday but was reported to police around noon. He went on to say that this case could be related to a “theft gone wrong” or a “crime of passion”.

“There’s no one we won’t question”

Upon arriving at the crime scene, officers encountered what James Fry described as “the worst crime scene they have ever seen”. The police chief also said that Ethan and Xana, who were a couple, had been at a party on Saturday night while Madison and Kaylee were at a bar.

At first, the authorities had indicated that the community was not in immediate danger, explaining that this crime appeared to be targeted. But Wednesday, the talk on display was a little different. “We can’t say there are no threats and we ask everyone to be vigilant, report suspicious activity to us and be careful around you,” said James Fry. However, he argued that, in his view, this attack was an isolated act. So far no one has been arrested. “Everyone is interested in us, every piece of information we get, every lead we get, there’s no one we won’t talk to. There’s no one we won’t question, there’s no one we won’t seek out,” said James Fry.

The bereaved families, for their part, are waiting to receive more information from the authorities and complain about the lack of transparency in the investigation. Ethan Chapin’s father Jim told Fox News that “the silence of the authorities adds agony to the families.” “The lack of information from the University of Idaho and local law enforcement only increases the false rumors and insinuations in the press and on social media.

For Ethan and his three close friends killed, and for our families, I ask the authorities to tell the truth, to share what they know, to find the attacker and to protect the community. The university provided some information on the four students on Monday. He let it be known that Ethan – who was apparently in a relationship with Xana – was a freshman and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. The girl studied marketing and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi fraternity. Madison was also a marketing student. As for Kaylee, she was taking general studies classes.