It was confirmed by authorities that two roommates were inside the home where four University of Idaho students were slaughtered, but the 911 call wasn’t made till hours later.
Police Chief James Fry said, “The two roommates were home when police responded to a call of an unconscious person and discovered a gory slaying described as the worst we’ve ever seen.”
This latest discovery of evidence came during a press conference held by police and school officials where Fry also backtracked about how concerned the community should be about an ongoing threat after authorities originally said the public was not in danger following the quadruple homicide.
“We cannot say that there is no threat to the community and as we have stated, please stay vigilant, report any suspicious activity and be aware of your surroundings at all times,” Fry warned. “We believe the slayings were an isolated and targeted attack.”
Fry also added, “We are still seeking a suspect or suspects responsible for the gruesome scene. A murder weapon or motive has not been found. There was no sign of forced entry.”
The murders of Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, rocked the school community as many students vacated campus ahead of Thanksgiving break.
The FBI and state police are also assisting in the probe that includes at least 25 investigators.
An Idaho state police spokesperson said, “The two roommates were female and are not believed to be suspects. The pair are uninjured and cooperating with investigators.”
During the conference it was clarified, the two roommates were not necessarily witnesses to the crime, but were inside the six-bedroom home.
Fry said, “I’m not sure why the 911 call about the unconscious person was not made until noon that day. I also don’t know if either roommate called 911 and can’t divulge any further information at this time.”
“We are looking at everyone, every tip we get, every lead we get, there’s no one that we’re not gonna talk to,” Fry said. “There’s no one that we’re not gonna interview, there’s no one that we’re not gonna look into.”
It was confirmed that Chapin and Kernodle were at a campus party and Mogen and Goncalves were at a downtown bar before they all arrived back home after 1:45 a.m. Sunday.
No murder weapon has been found and there were no signs of forced entry at the home, though Fry noted investigators aren’t sure if the door was left unlocked.
Chapin’s father, Jim Chapin, said, “Silence from officials further compounds our family’s agony. There is a lack of information from the University of Idaho and the local police, which only fuels false rumors and innuendo in the press and social media.”
“The silence further compounds our family’s agony after our son’s murder,” Jim added. “For Ethan and his three dear friends slain in Moscow, Idaho, and all of our families, I urge officials to speak the truth, share what they know, find the assailant, and protect the greater community.”
A sister of Goncalves urged students still on campus to leave until the sicko is found.
“To the students of the University of Idaho that are still staying around campus, leave. Your grades are severely less important than your lives,” Aubrie Goncalves posted on Instagram. “I wish all the students of U of I safety and peace. You guys are not safe until this sicko is found. If the person who did this is capable of killing four innocent people, they are capable of killing more.”
