Idaho Police Actively “Looking for a Suspect” in Moscow Murder of 4 University Students — Mayor Describes Scene as “Crime of Passion”

More questions than answers as Moscow Idaho police withhold information from public while claiming 4 students were murdered and that they are actively searching for a suspect.

Moscow, Idaho police officers have revealed little details surrounding the homicide of 4 University of Idaho students early Sunday morning. Police officers have revealed, however, they are actively searching for a suspect and that all 4 of the deceased are considered victims.

Speaking with the IdahoStatesman, Moscow police Capt. Anthony Dahlinger: “All I can say is the deaths are ruled a homicide at this point, and homicide and murder are synonymous,” … “We certainly have a crime here, so we are looking for a suspect.”

The victims of the incident have been named as Ethan Chapin, 20, Conway, WA, Madison Mogen, 21, Coeur d’Alene, ID, Xana Kernodle, 20, Avondale, AZ, and Kaylee GonCalves, 21, Rathdrum, ID.

Locals closest to the subject described the victims as having all been “stabbed,” adding validity to Moscow Mayor Art Bettge’s assertions that this was a “crime of passion.”

One parent told IdahoTribune she was taking her children out of Moscow, and that the lack of information coming out of the police department is concerning.

“If it was drugs, we need to know so more kids don’t use them. It could be a bad batch.” one mother said, adding “we that if someone ODs the dealers can be charged with murder, but they aren’t saying that is what this is.” She continued to say that “if that is what this is, they should have said something sooner.”

Another parent told the IdahoTribune that they did not believe the scene could be under control. “If they are searching for a suspect who killed 4 kids, the area is not safe.”

Police officers have yet to conduct a press release concerning the incident, adding a level of confusion and anxiety to an already grieving city.