Law enforcement investigating the murders of four University of Idaho students say they do not believe the killings are related to unsolved stabbings in Washington state and Oregon, KLEW-TV reports.
On November 13, authorities received a 911 call at an off-campus apartment in Moscow, Idaho, where officers found four students savagely stabbed to death: 21-year-old Madison Mogen, 21-year-old Kaylee Goncalves, 20-year-old Ethan Chapin and 20-year-old Xana Kernodle.
Thus far police have not identified a suspect or located the murder weapon, prompting some to speculate whether the perpetrator had killed before.
The Moscow Police Department on Friday said it has received numerous inquiries about a 1999 double stabbing in Pullman, Washington, and a 2021 double stabbing in Salem, Oregon.
“While these cases share similarities with the King Street homicides, there does not appear to be any evidence to support the cases are related,” the Moscow Police Department said.
In the Oregon case, an unknown assailant attacked Travis and Jamilyn Juetten while they were sleeping around 3 a.m. on August 13, 2021, according to Newsweek.
Travis Juetten, 26, attempted to defend himself and fought back, but he died from his injuries. His wife, Jamilyn, then 24, was stabbed 19 times and survived, Fox News reports.
Details about the 1999 stabbing in Pullman, Washington, were not immediately available.
Also Friday, police said they have received more than 260 digital media submissions from community members and that investigators have collected 113 pieces of physical evidence, which are now being analyzed at the Idaho State Police crime lab.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little also has allocated up to $1 million in state emergency funds to help pay for the investigation. Police worked through the Thanksgiving holiday and are putting in overtime to investigate the slayings.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Wednesday to honor the victims.
Investigators believe that the victims were stabbed to death between 3 and 4 a.m. on the second and third floors of the residence. Two roommates who were on the first floor were not attacked by the assailant; police say they do not believe the surviving roommates had anything to do with the murders.
Police have also cleared other individuals who interacted with the victims in the hours before they died.
Most students are out of the city for Thanksgiving break and they will be allowed to finish the semester remotely if they desire, according to CNN.
To report information about the case, call 208-883-7180 or email tipline@ci.moscow.id.us.
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[Featured image: Left, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle; Top right: Kaylee Goncalves; Bottom right: Madison Mogen/Instagram]
