The slayings of four University of Idaho students at an off-campus house in mid-November shocked the small community of Moscow. Where investigators grappled with what the city’s police chief described as a “very complex” case. And Jana Karnodle, 20, as well as Karnodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20. Blade knife, found.
But intense scrutiny of unsolved murders has yielded thousands of tips to the FBI.
Now, seven weeks later — with the community on edge. And speculation swirling about who might have committed such violence. Police announced Friday the arrest of a doctoral student in criminal justice in Pennsylvania.
“This is not the end of this investigation,” Latah County Prosecuting. Attorney Bill Thompson said at a news conference announcing the arrests. “In fact, it’s a new beginning.”
Here is a timeline of key moments in the case
November 12, 2022
A short walk from the King Road apartment house. Where the roommates lived, according to investigators.
That night, Goncalves uploaded photos to her Instagram account of friends with the caption. A lucky girl to be surrounded by these people every day.”
Around 10 p.m., Goncalves and Mogen went to a sports bar in Moscow’s Corner Club.
November 13, 2022
At around 1:30 a.m., Goncalves and Mogen were seen ordering from a nearby food truck, according to the truck’s live stream.
Investigators say Carnodol and Chapin returned to their three-level home. On King Road at about 1:45 a.m., while Goncalves and Mogen drove home in a car, arriving at about 1:56 p.m.
Meanwhile, Moscow police said two other maids who had gone out that night arrived home before the others, at 1 a.m.
Police alerted the public to the death in a news release and while they said no one is in custody. They “do not believe there is an ongoing community risk based. On information gathered during the preliminary investigation.”
November 16, 2022
With no suspects arrested, Moscow police backtracked on earlier comments. That there was no threat to the rural town of about 26,000 residents.
“We don’t have a suspect at this point and that person is still out there.” Moscow Police Chief James Fry told a news conference. He added that more than 25 investigators from the Idaho State Police and the FBI are assisting in the case.
November 17, 2022
Preliminary autopsy results show the four victims were likely attacked with a large knife. And died shortly after 2 a.m. of many stab wounds, Latah County Coroner Kathy Mabutt said.
He described their wounds as “quite extensive.”
November 18, 2022
Police say the victims were likely asleep and some had self-defense wounds. There were also no signs of sexual assault.
Meanwhile, detectives seized the contents of three dumpsters near. The home to search for possible evidence. November 30, 2022
A vigil was held at the University of Idaho honoring the victims, with some family members in attendance.
“We’re going to get our justice,” said Steven Goncalves, Kylie’s father, adding that his daughter.
“They went to high school together, then they started looking at colleges, they came here together. They ended up moving into the same apartment together,” he said. “And in the end, they died together.”
December 1, 2022
Moscow police confirmed that the quadruple killings were part of a “targeted attack”. While authorities suggested otherwise.
A police spokesman said, “We remain firm in our belief that. This was indeed a targeted attack. But have not been able to determine whether the targeted house or its occupants were targeted.”
The department also continues to dispel online rumors. And speculation and says it has cleared some people. It saw interacting with Goncalves and Mogen on the evening they were killed. The police also said that two maids who were in the house were sleeping that night at the time of the attack.
December 2, 2022
Two housemates, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, have released letters explaining. Why they are struggling to come to terms with why the lives of “four beautiful people” were taken so .
December 5, 2022
Detectives focused on the activities of Chapins and Carnodle on the evening they were killed. And asked the public for information about five hours. After they arrived at the King Road apartment house for a Sigma Chi party.
December 6, 2022
Police say they recognize how frustrating the lack of news can be for families and the public. But stress they don’t want to jeopardize the case.
December 7, 2022
Police began removing the victims’ personal belongings from. The apartment house and returning them to their families.
They also announced what appears to be an integral part of the investigation. They say they’re looking to speak to any occupants. A white Hyundai Elantra from 2011-13 with an unknown license plate. They have not said they believe the driver is connected to the killer. But that the person may have “important information” to share.
December 15, 2022
Kristi Goncalves, Kylie’s mother, expressed frustration during an interview with NBC’s “Today” show. That she only learned of police interest in the Hyundai Elantra.
December 21, 2022
Fry told NBC News that his department is in daily contact with the family. And “we ask them to be patient” as the investigation progresses. The police chief reiterated that the investigation is not a cold case. And “Our ultimate goal is to bring someone to justice for those families and those victims.”
December 30, 2022
Police announced the arrest of one suspect: Brian Christopher Kohberger, 28, of Pullman, Washington. Then a doctoral student at Washington State University. He was arrested in northeastern Pennsylvania, about 2,500 miles from the Idaho campus. And charged with first-degree murder and four counts of burglary.
According to two law enforcement sources, DNA evidence played a key role in linking the murders to Kohberger.
At a press conference, Fry said he believed Kohberger was the only suspect.
“All I can tell you is that we have a man in custody who committed these horrific crimes,” he said, “and our community is safe.”
December 31, 2022
The public defender in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Said the suspect wants to waive his extradition hearing to face charges in Idaho.
“He should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Not judged in the court of public opinion,” Jason Labar said in a statement.
January 3
Kohberger appeared in court and agreed to return to Idaho.
January 4
Kohberger was flown across the country in a Pennsylvania State. Police plane and booked into the Latah County, Idaho jail.
January 5
Kohberger made an initial appearance in an Idaho court and was ordered held without bail. Another pre-trial hearing is scheduled for January 12
Investigators say male DNA discovered on a knife sheath was used to link Kohberger to the crime scene. And are tracking his car, a white Hyundai Elantra. And cellphone use in the area, according to released court documents.
