UPDATE: Full Moscow University of Idaho Student Murder Timeline — Authorities Continue Searching for Evidence as Investigation Reaches Week 2
What We Know
On Sunday, November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students were murdered while they slept in their off-campus Moscow, Idaho apartment house. There has since been little information divulged to the public regarding the events that took place that morning. Below, we will provide a timeline of events, and dispel any rumors that may have taken hold.
VICTIMS:
EC = Ethan Chapin [IG / FB], a 20-year-old from Conway, Washington, freshman: he was a second year student though still classified as a Freshman likely due to his credit hours], member of Sigma Chi fraternity majoring in recreation, sport and tourism management in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. School indicates hometown was Mount Vernon, WA; one of triplets that all attended UofI; staying overnight with his girlfriend XK ("lived with" XK according to XK's family [56])FAMILY INTERVIEW: NOV 15
XK = Xana Kernodle [IG / TikTok / FB], 20, from Avondale, Arizona; junior from Post Falls majoring in marketing in the College of Business and Economics, member of Pi Beta Phi sorority; dating EC, worked as server at Mad Greek restaurant [36]
MM = Madison Mogen [IG / TikTok / FB], a 21-year-old from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; senior majoring in marketing in the College of Business and Economics, member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority; worked as server at Mad Greek restaurant; planned to move to Boise after graduation in spring [53]FAMILY has asked Goncalves family to speak on their behalf.
KG = Kaylee Goncalves [IG / TikTok / FB], 21, from Rathdrum, Idaho; senior majoring in general studies in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, member of the Alpha Phi sorority; middle of five children, owner of a dog named Murphy, was going to start a new tech job in TX in Jan; had recently purchased a 2016 Range Rover; planned to travel to Europe next year. FAMILY INTERVIEWS: NOV 15 | NOV 16 | NOV 19 | NOV 20 (transcribed by @Allabouttrial HERE)
SURVIVING ROOMMATES: BF & DM
TIMELINE
LATE 2021
EC and XK begin a relationship. ("about a year, give or take")
AUGUST
AUG 16 MM posts a "meet the roommates" image on Instagram.
AUG 22 MM posts a "first day of school" image on Instagram.
September
SEP 12 POSSIBLY UNRELATED: man threatened students on University of Idaho campus with a knife; students were walking to Greek Row, non-student flashed a knife to threaten students, turned self into law enforcement; cannot say whether it is connected.
SEP KG supposedly complained to a friend about a stalker
October
POLICE SAY UNREALTED: Moscow resident's mini Australian shepherd discovered killed and skinned shortly after 2AM; skinned rabbit had been found days prior.
OCT 29 XK's final IG post, wishing EC a happy birthday.
November
Early November: KG had been home with family.
Saturday November 12 – The Day Before
~3PM - KG's final phone call with mother - intended to return home on Tuesday.
PM - neighbors hear loud music from somewhere "in the neighborhood"; did NOT hear screaming or gunshots.
PM - neighbors report "hearing noise from the house Saturday evening but said it sounded like a party rather than an altercation."; Rumor debunked: Moscow PD states there is no indication of party at the residence.
8PM-9PM - EC & XK attend party at Sigma Chi house (735 Nez Perce Dr).
10PM - 1:30AM - MM & KG at The Corner Club bar downtown; took an Uber to get there.
Sunday NOV 13 - DEATH OF VICTIMS, BODIES DISCOVERED – Day 1 of investigation at residence.
12 AM - XK talks to dad on phone
1 AM - surviving roommates BF & DM each arrive home from separate locations.
1:33 AM - 1:53 AM - MM & KG seen on Twitch video from Grub Truck food truck - located at 318 S. Main Street, where they order pasta; manager states they were "slightly intoxicated"
~1:45AM - EC & XK arrived home from Sigma Chi party
after 1:45 AM (1:59 AM, according to KG's family) - MM & KG arrived home from a bar; MM & KG took Uber (or "private party") home, let dog out, locked house up.
ISP stated (Nov 17) that they believe suspect came in through sliding glass door.
2:26 AM - 2:44 AM - KG phones "Jack" six times - (family clarifies that "Jack" is KG's ex bf, KG had wanted Jack to come over, family does not believe he is involved, that they were going to get back together).
2:44 AM-2:52 AM - MM phones KG's "Jack" three times
2:52 AM - KG phones "Jack" a final time
2 AM - 5 AM - updated estimated TIME OF DEATH (3AM-4AM - estimated time of death)
EC's mother states that "roommates heard something" but did not get into details
[TIME?] - BODIES DISCOVERED - a surviving roommate summoned friends to residence bc they "believed one of the second-floor victims had passed out and was not waking up"; according to EC's mother, bodies were found by "a friend" who does not live in the house
11:58 AM - 911 CALL - LE respond to "a report of an unconscious person" (later verified to be one of the deceased); multiple people spoke with dispatch before LE arrival
[TIME?] - FIRST RESPONDERS ARRIVE - First responders "discovered four individuals who were deceased" - EC was found on floor of second level; two victims found on 2nd floor; two on 3rd floor; officers describe a bloody crime scene, "especially on upper floors of the house"; fire and EMS were also on scene but did not go into residence or transport anyone out
~12PM - coroner informed of 4 homicides
2:16 PM - UofI FB post advises students to shelter in place due to investigation of homicide on King St
2:51 PM - UofI FB post lifts shelter-in-place, states that LE are still investigating death of 4 people but do not believe there is an active threat
~5 PM - 5:30 PM - coroner arrives on scene
5:25 PM - U of I FB post states that LE is still investigating, but there is no ongoing threat
9:17 PM - University president posts on FB about deaths, cancels class for M Nov 14, offers counseling resources
PM - neighbors state they saw police, "group of women crying while draped in emergency blankets"
Monday Nov 14 - DECLARED A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION - Day 2 of investigation at residence
Online and in-person classes at University canceled.
[TIME?] LE questioned manager of Moscow Building Supply about whether they carry KA-BAR knives, which they do not.
12:50 PM - MSM reports that 4 students found dead near campus.
12:21 PM - UofI FB posts identities of victims, states "Moscow police do not believe there is an ongoing community risk based on information gathered during the preliminary investigation."
1:31 PM - search dogs at scene.
1:49 PM - MSM reports that it is being treated as homicide investigation.
PM - Rumor debunked: LE verifies that none of the deceased students are believed to be responsible for the deaths. Rumor debunked: county coroner verifies it was NOT a murder-suicide.
5:56 PM - Mayor refuses to confirm NYT's "crime of passion" description , states it is one possibility.
PM - media tries to canvas neighbors, who decline to make a comment, "most" stating that they didn't really know the victims; state that police had previously canvassed neighborhood as well.
Tuesday Nov 15 - PRELIMINARY CAUSE OF DEATH RELEASED: STABBING - Day 3 of investigation at residence
Moscow PD release statement - "Evidence indicates that this was a targeted attack."
Some students, feeling unsafe, leave early for Thanksgiving break.
Coroner calls the scene "gruesome" (comment possibly taken out of context); does not believe toxicology report will be relevant; did not know timeframe of death; declines to comment on where bodies were found.
DailyMail (TABLOID) posts image they claim is blood "oozing" out of residence; state that scene was "the worst [police] had ever seen; "there was blood everywhere;" "have never seen anything like this"; trash taken to garbage depot .
KG's family interview states that door had a keypad code.
8:36 AM - Vigil postponed until after Thanksgiving
11:24 AM - LE press release states they are still searching for "an edged weapon such as a knife" that was used in attack.
2:07 PM - LE stop garbage truck from leaving residence, as they have not recovered weapon.
2:40PM - bodies in Spokane County, autopsies to take place on Wed; preliminary findings show stabbing as cause of death; "a lot of blood."
Rumor debunked: no indication of substance use.
4:25PM - confirmed that FBI is working with local LE.
6:36PM - county prosecutor states there is a sealed warrant issued at residence; "a handful of other warrants" in the works.
7:11PM - Families of MM & KG release statement calling for justice.
Wednesday Nov 16 - PRESS CONFERENCE - Day 4 of investigation at residence
AM - Video shared online of MM & KG at Grub Truck food truck.
Parents speak out against LE & school for "lack of information
Manager of Moscow Building Supply states that LE questioned them "more than once" about whether they carry KA-BAR knives, including on Monday, Nov 14; he states they do not.
3:30 PM - news conference planned by ISP & Moscow PD - transcribed by @Allabouttrial HERE
Moscow PD chief speaks
victims arrived home after 1:45 AM from party (EC & XK) and bar (MM & KG) - cf Su Nov 13
no sign of forced entry - no damage to anything; door was open when LE arrived
autopsies taking place today
reviewing crime scene evidence, video, etc
do not have a suspect, weapon, or clothing of suspect at this time - cannot say there is no threat to community
Rumor debunked: no indication of party at the residence - cf Sa Nov 12
there were ("we believe 2") other people (roommates) home at the time of the attack; was not a hostage situation and were not injured; they were present at residence when LE arrived; declines to comment on what they have stated
declines to comment on who the 911 caller was
has not identified anything missing/stolen from the residence
declines to comment on location of bodies within the residence
Sep 12 incident - students were walking to Greek Row, non-student flashed a knife to threaten students, turned self into law enforcement; cannot say whether it is connected cf Sep 12
5 PM - Vigil held in Coeur d' Alene, ID
5 PM - Vigil planned on University's Administration Lawn - Vigil postponed as of Tuesday Nov 15 rescheduled to NOV 30
Thursday Nov 17 - AUTOPSY PERFORMED & CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH CONFIRMED - Day 5 of investigation at residence
Rumor debunked: KTVB reporter verifies that there have been no record of KG calling police between Jan 1 - Nov 13.
ISP patrolling near Moscow schools Th & Fri; "no need to be alarmed."
Increased LE activity noted at residence; increased number of tips coming in; LE confirms they are canvassing area for fixed-blade weapon purchases.
Phones of victims still being held as evidence.
KG's dog Murphy has been returned to secondary owner.
ISP stated that they believe suspect came in through sliding glass door- cf Su Nov 13
[TIME?] autopsies completed and bodies released to victims' families.
PM - Coroner's report released confirming official cause of death: homicide-murder / manner of death: stabbing with "large knife"; DNA samples (including those on "bedding") still being tested; some wounds may have been defensive.
PM - Family states XK had "bruises, torn by the knife" that would indicate that she fought back.
PM - Other source cites same coroner stating that "They have not yet determined whether there were defensive wounds"; each victim stabbed multiple times; no indication of sexual assault.
Friday Nov 18
Moscow PD press release
states that four victims were "likely asleep" at time of attack; some had defensive wounds
Rumor debunked: LE do not believe man at Grub Hub truck is involved
Rumor debunked: LE do not believe surviving roommates are involved
Rumor debunked: victims were not tied or gagged
no suspects in custody, no weapon found
Saturday Nov 19
Sunday Nov 20
3PM - Moscow PD press conference - transcribed by @Allabouttrial HERE
received 646 tips, done over 90 interviews
911 call originated within residence from a surviving roommate's phone
two victims found on 2nd floor; two on 3rd floor
Rumor debunked: LE do not believe the "private party" who drove MM & KG home is involved
Rumor debunked: LE do not believe the 911 caller is involved
LE seized contents of three dumpsters on King St but did not find anything of note
LE verifies that 911 caller was one of roommates' "other friends that had arrived at the location; not sure how many of these other friends were there
no suspects in custody, no weapon found
8 PM - Moscow police release social media update stating on S Nov 13, a surviving roommate summoned friends to residence bc they "believed one of the second-floor victims had passed out and was not waking up" - cf S NOV 13
KG's family states in interview that "this person was sloppy... he made a mess"
KG & MM's families met together
DailyMail (TABLOID) reports on attack on dog Oct 21 near university campus cf Oct 21
Monday Nov 21
Possibly unrelated: Two young women in Moscow, Idaho were chased by a man. The description is an overweight white man in a yellow shirt with dirty blonde to brown hair and a scruffy beard.
Moscow Police Department Release:
Send digital tips to fi.gov/moscowidaho
Rumor control: Police are aware of an incident of report of a skinned dog. Have determined it is unrelated.
Rumor control: Police are aware of deceased animals left on a resident's property. This was determined to be wildlife activity.
On the night of the incident, officers located a dog at the residence. The dog was unharmed.
This timeline of events was compiled by a third party. If you would like to follow that conversation, please click here as the investigation is ongoing.
We will continue to provide updates as they are made available.
