Chronology of Events
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The Night Before: November 12, 2022 The four victims, identified as Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, had spent the evening of November 12 attending various social events around town. Goncalves and Mogen were at a local bar, while Kernodle and Chapin attended a party at the Sigma Chi fraternity house. They all returned to their residence on King Road in the early hours of November 13.
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Discovery of the Crime: November 13, 2022 At around noon on November 13, a 911 call was placed reporting an unconscious individual at the King Road residence. When authorities arrived at the scene, they discovered a horrific scene: all four students were found stabbed to death in different parts of the house. The Moscow Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation.
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The Investigation Begins: In the days following the discovery, law enforcement officials worked tirelessly to gather evidence and piece together the events of that fateful night. A lack of signs of forced entry initially led investigators to believe that the perpetrator was someone known to the victims, though this theory would later be put into question.
4. The Suspect: The accused, Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old Ph.D. student in criminology from a neighboring university at the time, has provided an account of his actions on the night of the murders. According to investigators, they were able to trace Mr. Kohberger’s cellphone through tower data from that night, and they also retrieved surveillance footage showing a white car, similar to Mr. Kohberger’s, repeatedly driving around the vicinity of the victims’ residence. However, the authorities have not yet disclosed a potential motive for the crimes. Police have stated in legal documents that they were led to arrest Mr. Kohberger at his parents’ house in Pennsylvania, following over six weeks of the case remaining unresolved. A pivotal piece of evidence contributing to this arrest was a leather knife sheath found on a bed in one of the bedrooms where the murders occurred. However, the documents did not mention the recovery of a weapon. The investigators are currently on the lookout for a long knife, which they suspect was used during the assault.
The Victims:
5. Madison Mogen, affectionately called Maddie, was a marketing major in her senior year, hailing from Coeur d’Alene. Her grandmother, Kim Cheeley, spoke fondly of Maddie, describing her as a kind-hearted and considerate individual who maintained numerous lasting friendships and had a strong connection with her extensive family. Maddie's boyfriend, Jake Schriger, shared that she was eagerly anticipating her graduation the following year and had expressed a desire to travel and explore various parts of the globe. He highlighted Maddie's positive nature and her tendency to perform acts of kindness for others, expressing his wish for her to be remembered for the love she shared.
Maddie's father, Ben Mogen, stated his conviction that nobody within Maddie's or her friends' personal circles could have played a part in their tragic end. “If you knew them, then you loved them,” he remarked.
6. Kaylee Goncalves, originally from Rathdrum, Idaho, was on track to graduate in December and had plans to relocate to Austin, Texas, with a close friend, Jordyn Quesnell, in June. Quesnell shared that Kaylee had secured a job at a marketing firm and was looking forward to further exploring the country. “We wanted that adventure,” Quesnell remarked, recalling their enthusiastic plans.
Alivea Goncalves, Kaylee’s elder sister, mentioned that both Kaylee and Maddie had been bridesmaids at her wedding, highlighting their close bond.
7. Ethan Chapin, a resident of Conway, Washington, and one of a set of triplets, spent the majority of November 12, the day before the tragic events, in the company of his siblings, who are also students at the University of Idaho, as shared by their mother, Stacy Chapin. That evening, they attended a dance hosted by his sister’s sorority. “My kids are very thankful that it was time well spent with him,” Ms. Chapin expressed, describing Ethan as the life of the party, someone who brought laughter and kindness wherever he went. She reminisced about his ever-present big smile, a trait he had since his infancy, calling him “just the brightest light.”
8. Xana Kernodle, an Idaho native with recent years spent in Arizona, was described by her father, Jeffrey Kernodle, in an interview with an Arizona TV station. He portrayed his daughter as strong-willed, enjoying her independence during her college years. He shared that, based on accounts, Xana seemed to have tried to defend herself during the attack, a statement supported by the coroner’s findings. Mr. Kernodle expressed his astonishment and heartbreak over the fact that his daughter could be taken away while in the supposed safety of her home and friends. “She was with her friends all the time,” he stated, highlighting her social nature.
9. Community Reaction and Support: The University of Idaho and the larger Moscow community were left reeling from the tragedy. Vigils were held, counseling services were offered to students and faculty, and an outpouring of support came from across the nation.
10. Breakthroughs and Challenges in the Investigation: The investigation faced numerous challenges, including a lack of eyewitnesses and the initial absence of a clear motive. However, law enforcement officials remained committed to solving the case, utilizing forensic evidence and other investigative tools to identify a suspect. On May 17, 2023, the Latah County District Court revealed that a grand jury had indicted Kohberger on five charges, including four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.Subsequently, a probable cause hearing set for June 26 was called off due to the indictment. During his arraignment in May 2023, Kohberger opted not to enter any plea. His defense attorney indicated that Kohberger was "standing silent" regarding the charges, leading the judge to record a 'not guilty' plea on his behalf. Later, on June 26, the Latah County Prosecutor’s office declared their intention to pursue the death penalty, citing the specific severe factors linked with the first-degree murder charges. Currently, Kohberger is in custody at the Latah County Jail without the possibility of bond and maintains his plea of not guilty to all allegations.
Conclusion
The University of Idaho murders of 2022 marked a dark chapter in the history of Moscow, Idaho, and the tragedy will not soon be forgotten. The victims' families, friends, and the community at large were left to grapple with the senseless loss of four young lives. As of September 2023, the case remains a painful reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure the safety and security of college campuses across the nation.
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Rick