Community Chat

[gertrudecloset]

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Police are investigating the deaths of four University of Idaho students found Sunday in a home near the campus.

Officers with the Moscow Police Department discovered the deaths when they responded to a report of an unconscious person just before noon, according to a press release from the city.

Police have called the deaths suspected homicides, which generally means the killing of one person by another, though the term doesn’t necessarily suggest death was intended or committed in a criminal manner.

Authorities did not release additional details, including the cause of death. Police said more information would be shared once family members were notified of the deaths.

“It is with deep sadness that I share with you that the university was notified today of the death of four University of Idaho students living off-campus believed to be victims of homicide,” University of Idaho President Scott Green said in a statement posted to Facebook Sunday night. “Out of respect for these fellow Vandals, classes statewide and online are canceled Monday, Nov. 14.”

The university said counselors would be available for students at the campus counseling center, while employees could access assistance through an employee assistance program. Green urged people to reach out if they were concerned about classmates or coworkers.

“An event of this magnitude can understandably have significant impacts on those left behind,” Green wrote. “As Vandals, we must come together and lift each other up.”

Shortly after the bodies were found, the university advised students to shelter in place for about an hour until investigators determined there was no active threat to others in the region.

The Moscow Police Department said the investigation was ongoing and asked people with information to call the department.

The city of Moscow is a close-knit college town nestled in the rolling hills of north-central Idaho, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) southeast of Spokane, Washington.

[golding76]

What will it take to stop all this slaughter?  May the victims rest in peace.

It is becoming so hard to absorb so much pain and tragedy.  How about the parents, relatives and friends of all these victims? 

Many of us do not feel safe any longer.

[Kachina624]

Do you suppose students at this university really call themselves "Vandals"?  Quite an unusual mascot which doesn't evoke a positive image.

[ROMARY]

We must remember to alert our adult grandchildren to always be extremely careful.  

As much security as humanly possible, etc.  in their college dorms, rentals, cars, etc., etc. 

Looking way back, we were very relaxed re: being careful and security.  Which wasn't a good idea, now thinking about it.

I guess we were 'just plain lucky' in those days.

  Although, not drastically much going on at that time, but I'm guessing there were dangers lurking around.  

[Isobel Archer]

Odd that they are not saying how they died - and that they "suspect" homicide.

So that would seem to indicate they weren't shot - as that would be obvious.

[gertrudecloset]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

Do you suppose students at this university really call themselves "Vandals"?  Quite an unusual mascot which doesn't evoke a positive image.

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It's their choice though, right @Kachina624 ?

[gertrudecloset]

MOSCOW, Idaho -- Police have identified the four University of Idaho students who were found dead in a home near the Moscow, Idaho campus on Sunday.

The Moscow Police Department has called the deaths "homicides," and on Monday identified the victims as Ethan Chapin, a 20-year-old from Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, a 21-year-old from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, from Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee GonCalves, 21, from Rathdrum, Idaho.

Officers with the Moscow Police Department discovered the deaths when

they responded to a report of an unconscious person just before noon, according to a press release from the city.

Authorities did not release additional details, including the cause of death.

"Details are limited in this investigation. Currently, there is no one in custody," the police department wrote in a press release. "The Moscow Police does not believe there is an ongoing community risk based on information gathered during the preliminary investigation."

The police said anyone with information should contact the department and asked that people respect the privacy of the victims' family and friends.

Brian Nickerson, the fire chief of the Moscow Volunteer Fire and EMS Department, said police were the first to arrive at the home. The first responders from the fire and EMS department didn't go inside or transport anyone from the scene, Nickerson said.

"It is with deep sadness that I share with you that the university was notified today of the death of four University of Idaho students living off-campus believed to be victims of homicide," University of Idaho President Scott Green said in a statement posted to Facebook on Sunday night. "Out of respect for these fellow Vandals, classes statewide and online are canceled Monday, Nov. 14."

Shortly after the bodies were found, the university advised students to shelter in place for about an hour until investigators determined there was no active threat to others in the region.

The Moscow Police Department said the investigation was ongoing and asked people with information to call the department.

The city of Moscow is a close-knit college town nestled in the rolling hills of north-central Idaho, about 80 miles southeast of Spokane, Washington.

[mspatmac]

Some context around the name

Idaho was founded in 1889, but the Vandals name did not pop up until 1918 when Argonaut student sports writer Harry Lloyd McCarty referred to the Idaho basketball team as a “gang of vandals” due to the talent on the squad. 

I was intrigued by the name so looked it up.  It's looked at in today's world differently the in 1918 for sure. 

[Another new name Sue]

I never thought "Vandals" was a good name for a university mascot.  Definition: "a person who deliberately destroys or damages public or private property."

Poor, poor families of those kids.  So much hope and excitement to send a child off to university, and then having it end in tragedy.

[Etoile308]

The New York Times is reporting it was a crime of passion.