The University of Idaho president mourned the loss of four students Wednesday who were murdered in their home near the school on the morning of November 13, calling their deaths “beyond comprehension.”
President Scott Green was joined by Provost Tory Lawrence and Dean of Students Blaine Eccles during a press conference Wednesday afternoon with Moscow Police Department Chief James Fry and other law enforcement officials. , where they shared details about the quadruple homicide of 20-year-old Ethan Chapin; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.
“This crime and the loss of these young lives is simply beyond comprehension. While our small community is certainly not immune to such things, it is not a situation our united campus is used to dealing with,” Green said.
A split photo showing the crime scene and victims, including University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, 20; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.
(Angela Palermo/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images/Instagram/ @kayleegoncalves)
“First, my deepest condolences to the families and friends of Ethan, Kaylie, Zina and Madison,” the school administrator said. “Their loss has been devastating and they were shining lights in our community and they are greatly missed and remain in our thoughts and prayers.”
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Green said the school is fully cooperating with Moscow police “when questioned and continually presses for information whenever possible.”
At the same press conference, police said that a threat to the Moscow community “possibly” still exists, as no persons of interest or suspects have been taken into custody as of Wednesday night.
“We do not have a suspect at this time and we cannot say that there is not a threat to the community,” Moscow Police Department Chief James Fry said.
University of Idaho President Scott Green speaks at a news conference on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
(FoxNews)
“We just want justice for these victims,” Green added later.
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDERS: TWO ROOMMATES WERE AT HOME WHEN FOUR STUDENTS WERE MURDERED
The University of Idaho president said the school’s focus is to “support our students and employees” as they navigate the days and weeks ahead and address any additional information the investigation may reveal.
“We are encouraging students and staff to take care of themselves as we head into the Thanksgiving break. I want to take a moment to congratulate our faculty and staff who have been on the front lines helping our students, whether it’s providing advice to those who are in need of support,” he added.
“The next few weeks will continue to challenge us as this loss and the circumstances surrounding this crime become known. We will support each other as we grieve and get through this together as a family,” Green concluded.
Most of the students at the university had already returned home before the murders took place.
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Police continue to investigate the four murders and provided few details at Wednesday’s news conference about what may have happened on Sunday.
Authorities said there were no signs of forced entry and all four victims suffered fatal knife wounds. However, no weapon was found at the scene.
