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Police: ‘Edged weapon’ killed U of I students

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 11 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | November 15, 2022 4:07 PM

An “edged weapon, such as a knife” was used in the homicide deaths of four University of Idaho students, Moscow police said Tuesday morning.

Police called the apparent homicides “an isolated, targeted attack” in a news release issued early Tuesday.

For that reason, authorities said they believe there is “no imminent threat” to the community. No suspects are in custody.

No weapon has been recovered.

Investigators continue working to identify persons of interest and establish a timeline of relevant events to recreate the victims’ activities leading up to their deaths, a news release said.

Autopsies are expected to be completed later this week.

Three Kootenai County students were among the four who were found dead around noon Sunday in an apartment near the University of Idaho campus.

Kaylee Goncalves, of Rathdrum, and Madison Mogen, of Coeur d’Alene, both graduated from Lake City High School in 2019. They were both 21 years old.

Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls graduated from Post Falls High School in 2020.

Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Wash., was a freshman at U of I, majoring in recreation, sport and tourism management and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Moscow police reported that officers discovered the deaths just before noon Sunday, when they responded to a report of an unconscious person in an apartment on King Road. The deceased students were discovered at the scene.

Investigators have asked anyone with information related to the incident to contact Moscow police at 208-882-2677.

This is a developing story.

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