One week after the the bodies of four University of Idaho students were discovered in their shared off-campus home in the town of Moscow, authorities do not have a suspect in custody nor has a weapon been found, according to Moscow Police Captain Roger Lanier.
Police have fielded 646 tips and have conducted more than 90 interviews so far, said Police Chief James Fry during a Sunday press conference.
“We’re trying to expedite everything that might possibly lead to a suspect,” Latah County prosecutor Bill Thompson said Saturday.
The four students killed – Ethan Chapin, 20; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Madison Mogen, 21 – were discovered by police last Sunday. The victims were stabbed to death, according to a county coroner, and the weapon used has yet to be found.
Thompson was one of several officials who spent about two hours at the crime scene Saturday as a part of the active investigation.
“I wish we had more answers, and they’re still asking questions,” Thompson said.
With a town and campus community increasingly concerned over the homicides and lack of answers in the case, many students have left Moscow ahead of the fall break. Police clarified last week they were unable to determine if the public was at greater risk.
“We cannot say there’s 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,” Moscow Police Chief James Fry said Wednesday.
Many professors canceled classes last week, including Zachary Turpin, who wrote on social media he “can’t in good conscience hold class” until police release more information or identify a suspect in the murders.
