A man in his mid-20s was taken into custody by local police and the FBI at 3 a.m. in Scranton, Pennsylvania. While this suspect is a college student he was not attending the University of Idaho. He did however appear in court this morning. While this case has baffled police and the community since it happened on November 13, there may finally be answers.
Idaho police chief remained confident that a suspect would be brought to justice, and that the case would not go cold as it entered its fifth week unsolved last week. During an interview, Wednesday, on NBC Nightly News Moscow Police Department Chief James Fry discussed the case and mentioned that the department is receiving “hundreds of tips daily.”
Police had previously said that the four victims, Ethan Chapin, 20; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were each stabbed to death likely while sleeping November 13 in the early morning hours between 3 and 4 am.
The University has also come out to discuss safety as students make plans for the spring semester amidst the killer still being on the loose. The school stated that they are adding an increased security presence on campus and several additional services for students who decide to return to the Moscow campus. They plan to enhance patrols near campus and an overall “heightened police presence.” Though they are also set to offer self-defense-related programs to students, including stalking awareness, vigilance, and sexual assault awareness courses. Though for those who chose not to return to the campus, they will have the option to do their schoolwork online through virtual or online courses, or take their course at an alternate University of Idaho campus including their Boise, Idaho Falls, or Coeur d’Alene campuses.
Police have released one piece of information to the public in a statement, which is they are looking for a Hyundai Elantra between the model year 2011-2013. They have also stated that they are looking through a list of about 22,000 Hyundai Elantras to find the one, as they believe the people in this car, which was seen near the home, could have critical information about the case.
Police are also analyzing 113 pieces of physical evidence and about 4,000 photos from the scene. They have also received an estimated 10,000 tips and leads as of Monday. All revealed to say they are not giving up or letting this case sit on a back burner.
