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Police in the Idaho college town where four college students were murdered in their off-campus home will begin the grim task of removing the victim’s personal belongings from the home on Wednesday.
Moscow Police Chief James Fry said he will personally join members of the department in packing up and removing items from the house where four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed on November 13, likely in their sleep.
‘We are going to return those items to the families. It’s time for us to take back those things that really mean something to those families and hopefully help with some of their healing,” Fry said.
“I’m a father, so I understand the meaning behind some of that stuff,” added the chief, whose department has come under withering criticism from families of victims for perceived errors and investigative delays.
Three weeks after the grisly murders, police still have no suspects or the murder weapon, but Fry insisted the case hasn’t gone cold.
Roommates Kaylee Goncalves, 21, died in the home invasion; Madison Mogen, 21 (together left); Xana Kernodle, 20; and Xana’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20 (together on the right)
On Wednesday, police will pack up and remove personal items from the home (above) where four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed on November 13.
“We are at that point in the investigation where we are still gathering information, we are still gathering leads, we are still gathering evidence,” Fry said in a video statement released by the department.
“But there also comes a time when the family needs to get those belongings back, the ones we can get back,” he added. “They’ve asked that we return some of that stuff to them, so we’re ready to take care of that for them.”
The Moscow Police Department, a small 36-member force leading the complex investigation, said in a statement that personal items from the home will be transported to a secure storage location, where family members can view and retrieve them.
“The home remains an active crime scene and the investigation continues to make progress,” the department insisted.
“Moscow police and investigative partners continue to work with the families of the victims on the ongoing investigation and developments,” the statement added.
In the November 13 home invasion, his roommates Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were murdered; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Xana’s boyfriend, 20-year-old Ethan Chapin.
“We’re at that point in the investigation where we’re still gathering information, we’re still gathering leads, we’re still gathering evidence,” Police Chief James Fry said.
Two roommates in the home’s first-floor unit were uninjured, while those on connected upper floors died.
Kaylee and Madison spent the night visiting a sports bar and a food truck, while Xana and Ethan visited Ethan’s frat house, just a short walk from Xana’s house.
Survivors Dylan Mortensen (left) and Bethany Funke (right), and victims Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee’s shoulders), Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle
The victims are believed to have been killed in their sleep after returning home from a Saturday night out.
Kaylee and Madison spent the night visiting a sports bar and a food truck, while Xana and Ethan visited Ethan’s frat house, just steps from Xana’s house, where they were murdered.
Three weeks after the murders, police have yet to identify a suspect or the murder weapon, and the families of the victims have been left with more questions than answers.
Kaylee’s father, Steven, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Moscow Police Department’s investigation, saying it “has been wrong a million times” in a recent interview with Fox News.
He said he hoped a personal lawyer could force investigators to release the evidence they have to the public.
“There are things we can request and things we can do to get to the truth faster,” he said. ‘You have to fill out forms to be given this evidence. I do not know how to do that.’
‘There seems to be confusion everywhere you look. It’s just absurd the kind of things that are happening right now.
Steven Goncalves, the father of 21-year-old Kaylee Goncalves, said he is frustrated with the minimal transparency of the Moscow, Idaho, police department in the case.
Steven Goncalves with his 21-year-old daughter Kaylee, who was stabbed to death in her bed.
Among his frustrations with the department’s lack of transparency was his refusal to reveal the alibis of certain people he claims to have cleared of suspicion.
“If you don’t share your alibi, then you’re afraid that your alibi isn’t strong enough to share with the community because that gives them an opportunity to peer review it,” Goncalves said.
He also expressed frustration that investigators did not explain why they thought there was no connection between the recent stabbings in both Washington and Oregon.
“Don’t treat us like we’re a bunch of little kids,” he said. You’re saying it’s not related. Then tell us why it’s not related.
They’ve been wrong a million times. But I can’t say that because what experience does Steve have? he added he. ‘He does not know. He’s just a dad who woke up one day and his life was turned upside down.
Speaking with Fox, Chief Fry insisted that his department was still rigorously investigating the murders.
This case is not getting cold. We get leads, we have investigators every day interviewing people. We’re still reviewing the evidence, we’re still looking at all aspects of this,’ he said. I said at the beginning that no stone will be left unturned, and I mean it. Let’s continue. This case is not getting cold.
Fry fought back tears as he explained the toll the investigation took on the officers involved.
“I’m a father with daughters, and it’s hard,” Fry said. We are humans. We don’t go to these and just turn it off. It affects us. But we have a job to do, and we’re going to keep doing that job, we’re going to keep moving forward.’