Moscow Police have found ‘an Elantra’ but not the murder weapon in the University of Idaho case
MOSCOW, Idaho – Moscow Police Friday shared new information about the arrest of a man suspected of killing four University of Idaho students.
Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were stabbed to death on November 13th in a home on King Street, right near the University of Idaho campus.
Early Friday morning, a SWAT team in Pennsylvania arrested 28-year old Bryan Kohberger at his parents home.
Police confirmed Kohberger was a Ph.D student at Washington State University, studying criminology.
He’s in the Monroe County jail awaiting an extradition hearing on Tuesday.
Moscow Police wouldn’t get into specifics about Kohberger’s time at WSU and would not say if he returned to campus after November 13th.
RELATED STORY: What we know about Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger
“We do believe justice will be found during the criminal process,” said Moscow Police Chief James Fry, calling this a complex case that will change the community forever.
Moscow Police hadn’t released much information about the search for a suspect, other than sharing that they were looking for a white Hyundai Elantra seen near the home in those early morning hours.
Chief Fry thanked the community and media partners for keeping the story alive and leading to 19,000 tips being received.
He would not specify what tip or tips led them to Kohberger.
Chief Fry would also not specify how long Kohberger was on their radar.
He also would not confirm if the suspect knew the victims or any possible motive in the case.
He said he believes with this arrest, the community is safe.
Chief Fry stood behind how his agency handled the investigation, including how little information was released.
He said they are still looking for the murder weapon and that they “have found an Elantra” but would not answer where they found it and how it is connected to the suspect.
The criminal investigation
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson spoke at the news conference as well, saying his office filed a criminal complaint Friday charging Kohberger with four counts of first degree murder. He was also charged with burglary for unlawfully entering the home.
Thompson says the criminal complaint will be sealed until Kohberger returns to Idaho to face charges.
“This is not the end of the investigation,” Thompson said. “This is a new beginning.”
Thompson urged people who know Kohberger to come forward and share tips about what happened and why.
Friday, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen’s families were holding a celebration of life for the two girls, who had been best friends for years.
The service was planned weeks before the arrest.
University Response
“We never lost faith that this case would be solved,” said University of Idaho President Scott Green.
He thanked Moscow Police, the FBI, Idaho State Police and other agencies for supporting the students and securing the campus.
“With time we will heal, we will move forward together and we will remain Vandal strong.”
READ: Breaking: University of Idaho murder suspect arrested in Pennsylvania
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