Idaho College Murders: Moscow Police Chief Fires Back at Criticisms, Reveals New Update on Frustrating Investigation

Moscow Police Chief James Fry defended his department's investigation into the slayings of four University of Idaho students in their residence near campus on November 13.

Officials have maintained that the attack against Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen was a "isolated, targeted" occurrence, but the department has faced criticism and impatience as more than a month has passed since the killings without any suspects or persons of interest.

Idaho College Murders Investigation

On November 13, around noon, the bodies of four friends, three of whom were roommates in the residence where they were murdered, were discovered. Between 3 and 4 a.m., the Latah County coroner determined that they were stabbed to death in their sleep.

Multiple stab wounds were inflicted on each victim, and some of the victims sustained defensive wounds. Two housemates residing on the home's first story escaped the attack. Shanon Gray, who represents the Goncalves family, told Fox News Digital on Monday that if police "cannot handle a quadruple murder, if they are in over their heads, then they should admit it and turn the case over to someone who is more experienced in managing these things."

However, he noted that the family is optimistic that the Moscow Police Department (MPD), with the assistance of the FBI and the Idaho State Police, is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the mysterious deaths of four University of Idaho students.

Meanwhile, the police investigating the killings of four University of Idaho students do not immediately rule out a link between the crime and a prior noise complaint investigation at the crime site.

Bodycam footage of Moscow police officers responding to a noise complaint at a property on September 1 has recently surfaced. In the bodycam footage, authorities continually request to speak with residents of the residence, as numerous young adults leave the residence.

Officers then continue to dump beer cans left behind in the parking lot while loud music and partying can be heard. Two guys who opened the door told investigators that they assumed the occupants to be ladies but did not directly know them.

Eventually, officials reached Mogen by phone and advised her to instruct the partygoers inside the residence to lower the level. Idaho State Police issued the following statement to The Independent: "Investigators are aware of earlier encounters at the property and across the area. We are not ruling anything out at this time and continue to explore everything that may be relevant to the case."

Goncalves, Mogen, and Kernodle shared the six-bedroom residence with two other University of Idaho students who were there at the time of the attack but are thought to have been asleep. Uncertain if any of them were inside the residence at the time.

Previously, neighbors of the victims referred to the place as a "party house," stating that they frequently observed groups of young adults meeting there many times each week. The Moscow police reaffirmed that there were no indications of a forceful entrance.

Idaho Murder Cops Alerted to Abandoned White Hyundai

Meanwhile, authorities continue to search for the driver or drivers of a white automobile that was noticed near the student residence around the time of the murders.

The police have discovered around 22,000 cars that match the car's description and are looking through the data for leads. A white 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra with an unknown license plate was spotted "in the local region" in the early hours of November 13th, according to the Moscow Police.

In a press statement, Moscow police acknowledged that they are "certainly aware of the car and detectives are actively working on it."

The recovered Hyundai Elantra is the most substantial piece of evidence in the homicide case since authorities reveal minimal information so as not to compromise their investigation. Former criminal specialists and police officials have weighed in on law enforcement's judgments about the car of interest in response to the aforementioned hint, as per Washington Examiner.