University of Idaho murders timeline: What we know about the slaughter of four students
The victims — Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21 — were found stabbed to death Nov. 13 2022.
Mogen, Kernodle and Goncalves lived with two other students in a six-bedroom home off campus at 1122 King Road near fraternity row. Chapin, who was dating Kernodle, was staying the night. This is what is known about what happened before and after the killings.
Saturday, November 12 – Goncalves' final Instagram post
At 8:57 p.m., Goncalves posted a cheerful picture on Instagram (the title photo) posing with four friends and smiling broadly, which appeared to be taken on the porch of a house. "One lucky girl to be surrounded by these pple everyday," she captioned the photo. That night, Mogen and Goncalves hung out at Corner Club, a downtown bar, while Chapin and Kernodle went to a party together at the Sigma Chi house on campus, according to police.
Sunday, November 13 – Two victims seen in Twitch footage
Mogen and Goncalves were captured on video at 1:41 a.m. near a food truck in a clip posted to Twitch. Chapin and Kernodle returned home at about 1:45 a.m., while Mogen and Goncalves arrived at the house at 1:57 a.m after taking a sorority designated driving service, according to police and family. The two female roommates who survived the attack returned home from their night out before the four friends around 1 a.m.
The four victims were stabbed to death with a fixed-blade knife between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on the second and third floors of the home, according to police. The murder weapon has not been recovered. The surviving roommates summoned friends to the house because they believed one of the second-floor victims had passed out. A call to 911 was placed from one of the surviving roommates' phones at 11:58 a.m., reporting an unconscious person. Police said multiple people spoke to the dispatcher.
Wednesday, Nov. 16 – New details emerge, mystery deepens
At a press conference Wednesday, Moscow Police Chief James Fry revealed to reporters for the first time that there were two female roommates at the home during the horrific attack, and they were unharmed. Fry did not identify the 911 caller or offer an explanation for the call coming in more than 8 hours after the slayings. There were no signs of forced entry, he said.
Thursday, Nov. 17 – Coroner releases autopsy findings
The students' deaths were officially ruled homicides in a press release issued by Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt. Their cause and manner of death are homicide by stabbing, according to Mabbutt. She said the victims were likely ambushed in their sleep with a "really large knife" and described the attack as "personal" in an interview with NewsNation. Each of the victims had multiple stab wounds to their torsos. In a press release, police said that the two surviving roommates were not involved in the murders.
Tuesday, Nov. 22 – Did Kaylee Goncalves have a stalker?
Police said in a press release they "pursued hundreds of pieces of information related to this topic and have not been able to identify or verify the identity of a stalker."
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Police ask for information about vehicle seen near crime
Police reveal they have received tips and leads about a white 2011 to 2013 Hyundai Elantra spotted near the crime scene in the early morning hours of Nov. 13. They are seeking to speak with the person or people who were inside the vehicle, and ask the public for any information about the vehicle.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to call 208-883-7180 or [email protected].
