Four students murdered at University of Idaho *ARREST*

• Tip Line: 208-883-7180
• Email: tipline@ci.moscow.id.us
• Digital Media: fbi.gov/moscowidaho

Got my Masters degree from here.

https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/nation-world/national/article268771952.html

Killer who stabbed 4 Idaho students to death still at large​

The killer — or killers — who stabbed four University of Idaho students to death remained at large Tuesday, prompting many students to leave the campus in the idyllic small town despite police assurances that there was no imminent risk to the community.

So many students had left the scenic tree-lined campus in Moscow, Idaho, by Tuesday that university officials said a candlelight vigil scheduled for the next day would instead be held after the Thanksgiving break.

The students, all close friends, were found dead in an off-campus rental home around noon on Sunday, and officials said they likely were killed several hours earlier. Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt told the Spokane, Washington-based television station KXLY that her preliminary investigation showed the students were stabbed to death. There is no indication that substance use was involved in the deaths, Mabbutt said.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

The pervading theory, I've seen is that he was frustrated over his inability to get a girlfriend. He acted out because the girls were beautiful and probably would have nothing to with him.

It might be possible he met one or both of them somewhere, and they laughed at him or something when he tried to talk to them or something. Who really knows what was going on between his ears. He was angry at them about something.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The pervading theory, I've seen is that he was frustrated over his inability to get a girlfriend. He acted out because the girls were beautiful and probably would have nothing to with him.

It might be possible he met one or both of them somewhere, and they laughed at him or something when he tried to talk to them or something. Who really knows what was going on between his ears. He was angry at them about something.

yeah that is the dominant theory and is as likely as any but it also is likely the prevailing theory as it is the most obvious one or the usual assumption of this type.

not saying he was good at it but he clearly was devious too. when and if one dissed him he may well have tried for another or a friend or resorted to some other scheme in an attempt to be near...

someone should tell guys like this if they want a gf or bride, just pay for it, it is out there and available. sadly.

i still think there is something we don't know. not sure what but some thread. maybe he tutored a roommate. supplied/sold some drugs to one. etc.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I very much get the family's high emotions and grief and reason for all of this but am not sure I agree with all they are doing--I simply understand the reasons foe feeling as they do.

I don't see first of all where Moscow has done anything but a great job in finding their daughter's killer. As to the death penalty, I very much agree this creep deserves it however we have learned it is a much tougher process and much more particular and fraught with land mines and then as we know few are executed these days anyhow for many years on end if at all.

This talk of suing seems to make it seem about money. I get it is being "spun" that they are telling LE they better do it all correctly BUT if they don't, they can yell then.

Is there something that has been done wrong we don't know about? I only see where they pretty quickly found and arrested the killer although I'll be the first to admit the weeks that passed until they did and their silence had me wondering but once an arrest was made and all info came out of just all they had and had investigated changed my opinion.

The thing about the name with Kaylee being called Kayla... I get it but think it more likely an office person who consistently typed the name that way or it auto corrected to that since the judge consistently said the wrong name. I again get the heightened emotions of the family totally but I don't see any negligence there or intent.

I also disagree with a baby in the courtroom. I'm sorry but I do. This is not Kaylee's child and the focus should be on what happened in this crime.

I UNDERSTAND every bit of it and the feelings but I think one day when the grief is less intense and the anger less intense (which will be a long time coming) they would not likely make the same decisions.

I applaud calling things out and basically saying you better consider the victims and their families but I don't see in this case where there is much cause to complain although the fact they don't share all with the families or the public can be hard to understand and they certainly aren't going to now with being placed on "notice".

I DO think the same I think in every case and based on my own experience--that LE doesn't get the family needs contact, reassurance and an understanding of why they cant be told some things,etc. and I'm sorry but hand holding during intense grief and anger. The more that is secret, the worse it is. LE does not consider it their job and there is a disconnect there. They also are taught not to share or compromise an investigation. However, they need to understand that can breed distrust or just so many questions and concerns when families are in the dark.

All jmo.

 

[RoundPeg]

I very much get the family's high emotions and grief and reason for all of this but am not sure I agree with all they are doing--I simply understand the reasons foe feeling as they do.

I don't see first of all where Moscow has done anything but a great job in finding their daughter's killer. As to the death penalty, I very much agree this creep deserves it however we have learned it is a much tougher process and much more particular and fraught with land mines and then as we know few are executed these days anyhow for many years on end if at all.

This talk of suing seems to make it seem about money. I get it is being "spun" that they are telling LE they better do it all correctly BUT if they don't, they can yell then.

Is there something that has been done wrong we don't know about? I only see where they pretty quickly found and arrested the killer although I'll be the first to admit the weeks that passed until they did and their silence had me wondering but once an arrest was made and all info came out of just all they had and had investigated changed my opinion.

The thing about the name with Kaylee being called Kayla... I get it but think it more likely an office person who consistently typed the name that way or it auto corrected to that since the judge consistently said the wrong name. I again get the heightened emotions of the family totally but I don't see any negligence there or intent.

I also disagree with a baby in the courtroom. I'm sorry but I do. This is not Kaylee's child and the focus should be on what happened in this crime.

I UNDERSTAND every bit of it and the feelings but I think one day when the grief is less intense and the anger less intense (which will be a long time coming) they would not likely make the same decisions.

I applaud calling things out and basically saying you better consider the victims and their families but I don't see in this case where there is much cause to complain although the fact they don't share all with the families or the public can be hard to understand and they certainly aren't going to now with being placed on "notice".

I DO think the same I think in every case and based on my own experience--that LE doesn't get the family needs contact, reassurance and an understanding of why they cant be told some things,etc. and I'm sorry but hand holding during intense grief and anger. The more that is secret, the worse it is. LE does not consider it their job and there is a disconnect there. They also are taught not to share or compromise an investigation. However, they need to understand that can breed distrust or just so many questions and concerns when families are in the dark.

All jmo.

I'm super unsure which family or if all filed that lawsuit notice. I just haven't kept up.

Not a popular opinion, but I think Kaylee’s dad is a control freak who is used to getting his way. I know he's victimized and all, but he has never reacted well to not being the top dog in a murder investigation.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I'm super unsure which family or if all filed that lawsuit notice. I just haven't kept up.

Not a popular opinion, but I think Kaylee’s dad is a control freak who is used to getting his way. I know he's victimized and all, but he has never reacted well to not being the top dog in a murder investigation.

I am unsure either, I believe it is Kaylee's family and one other based on headlines I've seen that two families did this, but I also have not had time to keep up or watch them to know.

Since you voiced a not popular opinion, I will go out on a limb here as well. I agree with you and I think more than that. I think the sister is also going too far in some ways. While I think our courts and legal system could use some serious improvements and I totally get the grief and expectation that they come first and all be perfectly done, etc., boy can I understand it, I really can, most families don't push or poke the bear that represents you and they truly are in most cases doing their job. They had and have a massive amount of data in this case and had a murderer in custody in not too long of a period of time.

And I will go one further. Her baby did not belong in the courtroom. I think it a bit unfair like in our case we couldn't wear buttons with the baby's picture on them, etc. or anything to show solidarity or grief like that, I truly don't think it's fair but it can be risky, you don't want some appeal etc. because something swayed a jury.

Well her family better get a clue if they want justice that THEY themselves don't risk it.

Even saying that I feel horrible because I cannot even imagine the tragedy they are facing even though my family has had one, it is different. I CAN imagine and know a LOT of it though and the grief, need for justice, and need for the perfect case with no missteps.

Yet they are talking of suing for money and filing that right before anything has even gotten underway.

I also think in the beginning his behavior alienated the other parents or they likely worried about it. I like to think both he and her sister just care so much they are going to be all out there and righteous BUT I think it is going a bit too far. Her dad had to backtrack back when once already and yet it continues...

Unless there is something we DO NOT know that was done wrong, I think it is out of line. Sorry but I do. It is a horrible thing not being able to share things you know, etc., been there, and steam and grief and anger can leak out as you need somewhere to release it but aren't supposed to share facts but I don't agree with what they are doing.

Thankfully MOST LE and prosecutors and judges are professional and take no offense because if they did, he could well be risking justice for his daughter by alienating them.

 

[GrandmaBear]

For those, like me, who don't have regular TV programming, I just came across the 48 Hours show on this and here it is linked below.

It immediately made me feel bad for what I said above but then I realized I still mean it in that I felt the same way in the Rounds case where the mom was griping about LE. I get it boy do I get it and LE NEVER is as fast as we would want getting on investigating or looking for one of our kids but I also just worry they will affect their own case and chance of justice. I actually should give them credit for their guts and standing up no holds barred for their kids because one shouldn't have to worry about doing that but it isn't the way things are sadly and it seems these days that any dumb little thing can have the EVIL PERP and DEFENSE yelling "foul".

Anyhow, here is the 48 Hrs. episode:

 

[Cousin Dupree]

For those, like me, who don't have regular TV programming, I just came across the 48 Hours show on this and here it is linked below.

It immediately made me feel bad for what I said above but then I realized I still mean it in that I felt the same way in the Rounds case where the mom was griping about LE. I get it boy do I get it and LE NEVER is as fast as we would want getting on investigating or looking for one of our kids but I also just worry they will affect their own case and chance of justice. I actually should give them credit for their guts and standing up no holds barred for their kids because one shouldn't have to worry about doing that but it isn't the way things are sadly and it seems these days that any dumb little thing can have the EVIL PERP and DEFENSE yelling "foul".

Anyhow, here is the 48 Hrs. episode:

That's weird, it links to a Dateline episode.

 

[GrandmaBear]

That's weird, it links to a Dateline episode.

Okay, then Dateline. I am proud of mixing it up and not being an addict of mainstream TV.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I'm super unsure which family or if all filed that lawsuit notice. I just haven't kept up.

Not a popular opinion, but I think Kaylee’s dad is a control freak who is used to getting his way. I know he's victimized and all, but he has never reacted well to not being the top dog in a murder investigation.

Nobody filed a lawsuit notice. They filed a "tort claim" notice, which reserves their right to sue if deemed necessary in the future (within two years). It reserves their spot due to statute of limitations laws. I see it more as, if something comes up in the trial, or some key piece of evidence is dismissed at trial due to mishandling by the city, etc. they want to be able to sue for that in the future. They're not saying they have evidence that something has been mishandled right now, but just in case in the future.

Yes it was Kaylee's family, and Maddie's.

Attorney files tort claim notices on behalf of Goncalves, Mogen families in Idaho murders case

MOSCOW, Idaho - According to the attorney representing the family of Kaylee Goncalves, tort claim notices have been filed, reserving the Goncalves and Mogen families' right to sue the city

www.khq.com

Attorney files tort claim notices on behalf of Goncalves, Mogen families in Idaho murders case​

According to the attorney representing the family of Kaylee Goncalves, tort claim notices have been filed, reserving the Goncalves and Mogen families' right to sue the city of Moscow.

The Goncalves family attorney, Shanon Gray, confirmed he filed Tort Claims Notices against the City of Moscow, The University of Idaho, Washington State University and the Idaho State Police on behalf of both the Goncalves and Mogen families. The notices do not specify what kind of claim the families may make, nor do they list a specific dollar amount in damages.

These notices are not lawsuits, but instead serve as a legal step taken to protect the right to sue within two years.

Gray told reporters this notice is "a safeguard to protect the interests of the families, the victims, and really the whole community around, because if something goes wrong, or was done improperly, then someone is held accountable for that."

 

[GrandmaBear]

Still watching the Dateline piece. Couldn't commit to hours to watch it all at once.

So they have proof Brian ordered a K Bar knife and sheath from Amazon right before graduating in 2022... Do we have that on here in this thread? I don't think I knew that. I know they were early on before arrest looking for K Bar knife purchases.

Funny how these cases that have much sealed or even have gag orders but how some things come out and hit the news and some don't.

Of course we hear about the families and the tort thing because they want it known and that's not up to the judge.

One forgets things as cases move along and I just recalled how one of the fathers had been up to the home to change a lock on a bedroom door and said they had codes for them but can't recall who... Was it Xana's dad? Or Kaylee's?

I still don't like this tort thing unless there is a REAL reason we don't know about. It basically embarasses and looks as if they don't trust the LE in the case or the prosecutors, etc. If something gets messed up, no lawsuit is going to change justice and conviction of Brian but it will perhaps get money. It won't bring the kids back either. As far as I know they can sue within the statute time anyhow so no need to announce it unless they entirely distrust the handling of the case.

And if they do, they are also alerting the other side to that. And Brian's lawyer who is apparently or allegedly a pretty good one.

Most these days seem to think Maddie was the target but I'm not so sure...

 

[RoundPeg]

Nobody filed a lawsuit notice. They filed a "tort claim" notice, which reserves their right to sue if deemed necessary in the future (within two years). It reserves their spot due to statute of limitations laws. I see it more as, if something comes up in the trial, or some key piece of evidence is dismissed at trial due to mishandling by the city, etc. they want to be able to sue for that in the future. They're not saying they have evidence that something has been mishandled right now, but just in case in the future.

Yes it was Kaylee's family, and Maddie's.

I'll try to remember tort claim.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Mother of slain Idaho student Ethan Chapin says her family won’t attend suspect’s trial

Ethan Chapin's mother said on NBC's "TODAY" that she continues to find ways to keep his memory alive as the case against the suspect in the November slayings heads to trial. She said attending the trial would not be energy "well spent."

www.nbcnews.com

June 5, 2023, 7:57 AM EDT
By Erik Ortiz and Marlene Lenthang

The mother of Ethan Chapin, one of four University of Idaho students killed in an off-campus house in November, says her family won't attend the accused killer's trial, saying doing so wouldn't be energy "well spent."

Chapin's mother, Stacy Chapin, said Monday on NBC's "TODAY" show that her family is dedicated to keeping her son's legacy alive through their foundation "Ethan's Smile" which provides scholarships to University of Idaho students, and her new children's book "The Boy Who Wore Blue."


Her family has been focused on healing with one another rather than on the suspect, who heads to trial in the fall.

“[The trial] does not change the outcome of our family and it's energy that we need to put into healing our kids and getting back to a new family dynamic," Stacy Chapin said. "We let the prosecutors do their job and we do our job in our family."

Stacy remembered her son as "the greatest kid."

 

[RoundPeg]

Mother of slain Idaho student Ethan Chapin says her family won’t attend suspect’s trial

Ethan Chapin's mother said on NBC's "TODAY" that she continues to find ways to keep his memory alive as the case against the suspect in the November slayings heads to trial. She said attending the trial would not be energy "well spent."

www.nbcnews.com

June 5, 2023, 7:57 AM EDT
By Erik Ortiz and Marlene Lenthang

The mother of Ethan Chapin, one of four University of Idaho students killed in an off-campus house in November, says her family won't attend the accused killer's trial, saying doing so wouldn't be energy "well spent."

Chapin's mother, Stacy Chapin, said Monday on NBC's "TODAY" show that her family is dedicated to keeping her son's legacy alive through their foundation "Ethan's Smile" which provides scholarships to University of Idaho students, and her new children's book "The Boy Who Wore Blue."


Her family has been focused on healing with one another rather than on the suspect, who heads to trial in the fall.

“[The trial] does not change the outcome of our family and it's energy that we need to put into healing our kids and getting back to a new family dynamic," Stacy Chapin said. "We let the prosecutors do their job and we do our job in our family."

Stacy remembered her son as "the greatest kid."

I love her.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I love her.

Definitely two different extremes in the families here.
Everyone grieves differently. I can see healing methods of both. (Except the extremes which one or two seem to be going with here...)
I do love this honest truth:

“[The trial] does not change the outcome of our family

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

More from Ethan's family.

‘He was born with the kindest soul’: Mother of Idaho Murder Victim Ethan Chapin Reflects on Son’s Legacy

The mother of Idaho murder victim Ethan Chapin is sharing her deeply personal reflections on losing a child, telling NBC’s “Today” that she has a message for parents and others about life forged from the heartbreak she and her family have endured. Ethan was one of four University of Idaho...

www.crimeonline.com

‘He was born with the kindest soul’: Mother of Idaho Murder Victim Ethan Chapin Reflects on Son’s Legacy​

The mother of Idaho murder victim Ethan Chapin is sharing her deeply personal reflections on losing a child, telling NBC’s “Today” that she has a message for parents and others about life forged from the heartbreak she and her family have endured.

In an interview that aired Monday, Ethan’s mother, Stacy Chapin, shared fond memories of her beloved son, who was the firstborn of triplets.

Stacy said Ethan was very much like a firstborn child and was a leader of his siblings.

“He was definitely the glue that kept all of us together. He was funny and inclusive, and he always made sure that Maizie and Hunter were included and loved,” Stacy told NBC. “He was born with the kindest soul.”

Nearly seven months since Ethan’s death, Stacy has written a children’s book about her son entitled “The Boy Who Wore Blue” in an effort to keep his memory alive.

The title is a nod to the color that she and her husband, Jim, emphasized for Ethan when he was born. His two other siblings got different colors.

“You have to make sure that each has their own,” Stacy told NBC.

Writing the book has been an instrumental part of grieving and was “a huge piece of the healing process,” Stacy said in the interview. But the book also will help people learn who Ethan was.

“For the people who know him, it will confirm what we all knew about him, and it will be a reminder. But for the people who don’t know him, it will allow them to know him,” Stacy told NBC. “The bigger message . . . is to really, genuinely take a moment, be happy, include everybody and just live your best life. It’s the best message we could send through him.”

In addition to the book, the family has started Ethan’s Smile Foundation to provide scholarships to high school students from Ethan’s community who attend the University of Idaho. The foundation is funded from the sale of tulip bulbs at a farm where Ethan worked summers, according to KING-TV.

The family is doing its best to forge ahead while continuing to remember Ethan. In her role as a mother, Stacy said she feels a special duty to be there for Ethan’s surviving siblings.

“It’s a mom’s job,” Stacy told NBC. “I’m the soft place to land in our family . . . The foundation of our family has provided the strength for our kids to move forward.”

She added: “It’s a different dynamic in our home without Ethan, but we work every day on it.”

 

[GrandmaBear]

I couldn't do it. And as most know we have been there, different things but still unexpected brutal murder.

I totally understand wanting it to be about him and his life. I don't get not doing all one can to help justice from attending to giving victim impact statements all in the hope of course that as serous of a sentence that can be given is given.

Of course this case is so big with so many heinous murders that maybe they can feel assured justice will occur with the harshest sentence.

I also understand not wanting to put Ethan's siblings through attending, etc.

But harder for me to understand the parents not doing so.

It certainly isn't a judgment, all are different and it definitely is negative and does not bring the victim back but our system is already letting people out, getting lax on sentences, life is not life and if no victims attend or stand up or give impact statements, it will only get worse.

I do understand doing what they need to do to get through it for their family but I find it harder to understand not attending and seeing it through, hard as it may be.

But again, it is not a judgment. I just know I could never feel the same. At this early point especially.

I do admire trying to honor him in positive ways which likely does help with processing it all.

 

[Kimster]

I couldn't do it. And as most know we have been there, different things but still unexpected brutal murder.

I totally understand wanting it to be about him and his life. I don't get not doing all one can to help justice from attending to giving victim impact statements all in the hope of course that as serous of a sentence that can be given is given.

Of course this case is so big with so many heinous murders that maybe they can feel assured justice will occur with the harshest sentence.

I also understand not wanting to put Ethan's siblings through attending, etc.

But harder for me to understand the parents not doing so.

It certainly isn't a judgment, all are different and it definitely is negative and does not bring the victim back but our system is already letting people out, getting lax on sentences, life is not life and if no victims attend or stand up or give impact statements, it will only get worse.

I do understand doing what they need to do to get through it for their family but I find it harder to understand not attending and seeing it through, hard as it may be.

But again, it is not a judgment. I just know I could never feel the same. At this early point especially.

I do admire trying to honor him in positive ways which likely does help with processing it all.

I think they need to do what they can do to heal. And who knows? They might change their mind by the time the trial rolls around.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I think they need to do what they can do to heal. And who knows? They might change their mind by the time the trial rolls around.

Yes, whatever works for them I'm all for. And it does become all about the perp rather than the victim no doubt but getting that justice to me is part of such a thing and it is in the way of the grieving totally unti lthat is done, then one knwos it was done and make it about the victim solely. His siblings are also young adults, did they decide they don't want to see the process of justice for their brother? Probably all discussed it but I'm a bit surprised because in most families one may feel differently than another in such a thing.

Don't get me wrong, it isn't our right or my right to know those answers and I do understand the scholarship, book, etc. and making it about Ethan. That part I certainly get other than the order of it I guess and timing.

It is one has to admit a bit unusual to not want to see justice and not just from vindictiveness. Look at Larry and Kay. Landon Stauch. Almost everyone in any case that was a family member.

It is just unusual. That's all.

Well one more thing--wanting answers. THAT is a huge part of it all. Of course going by our own ordeal as well. HUGE part of it.

 

[RoundPeg]

Yes, whatever works for them I'm all for. And it does become all about the perp rather than the victim no doubt but getting that justice to me is part of such a thing and it is in the way of the grieving totally unti lthat is done, then one knwos it was done and make it about the victim solely. His siblings are also young adults, did they decide they don't want to see the process of justice for their brother? Probably all discussed it but I'm a bit surprised because in most families one may feel differently than another in such a thing.

Don't get me wrong, it isn't our right or my right to know those answers and I do understand the scholarship, book, etc. and making it about Ethan. That part I certainly get other than the order of it I guess and timing.

It is one has to admit a bit unusual to not want to see justice and not just from vindictiveness. Look at Larry and Kay. Landon Stauch. Almost everyone in any case that was a family member.

It is just unusual. That's all.

Well one more thing--wanting answers. THAT is a huge part of it all. Of course going by our own ordeal as well. HUGE part of it.

I think they do want to see justice. They are trusting the prosecution to do that job for them.

 

[Guess Who]

I think they do want to see justice. They are trusting the prosecution to do that job for them.

And without having to see.what can't be.unseen.