University of Idaho students stabbed to death at their Moscow home

Toreros react to the college students’ murders

KARISA KAMPBELL / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / THE USD VISTA

On an ordinary day in Idaho, four college students were stabbed to death in their home. Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were students at the University of Idaho. On Nov. 13, after a night out, an unknown perpetrator entered the home and brutally killed these four students to death. No suspects or people of interest have been identified in this case. 

While no substantial leads have been made, or at least released by the police in regards to this case, there are some key factors of information that have been released about the murders. The first is that even though the killer has yet to be identified or arrested, they do not believe that whoever it is poses an immediate safety threat to the community. According to an ABC News article, Chief James Fry, the Moscow, Idaho, Chief of Police believes that this was a targeted attack on either the house or one of the suspects. However, that was later retracted by the Moscow police department, adding to the confusion around the case and its details. 

The killings happened between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Of the six residents of the house, two of them survived and were not approached by the killer. 

Before calling 911 the next morning, the two surviving roommates called for help from friends after discovering one of their roommates unresponsive. They called 911 at 11:58 a.m., and the officers who arrived at the scene found the other roommates. At the time of arrival to the scene, the officers did not believe the surviving roommates to be involved in the crime. 

USD sophomore Zadie Nguyen is from Moscow, Idaho. She described her thoughts on the horrific killings and the impact it had on the community. 

“Idaho, especially Northern Idaho rarely faces murders,” Nguyen said. “Northern Idaho is a very close-knit community, so for something as impactful as what has happened in Moscow really shook our community, since everyone has a mutual who knew a victim.” 

While not directly in our community, other Toreros shared how this attack on the college community impacted them. 

USD sophomore Gray Ehling described that she was horrified when she heard about the tragedy. She has a personal connection to the case, as her boyfriend knows one of the surviving roommates.

“My family and I talked about it a lot and about our own safety because it could happen to anyone,” Ehling said. “I feel like we are safe on this campus, which could not be true. I feel like anyone can come on this campus at any time.”

USD first-year Brooklyn Bruschi shared similar sentiments to Ehling. 

“I think it is scary. Before coming to college, I know stuff like that happened on college campuses, but now living on a college campus and hearing about stuff like that it’s a lot more frightening,” Bruschi said.

The Idaho murders have also had a large impact on Generation Z through the reach it has made on TikTok. News organizations and crime junkies alike have been flocking to TikTok to breakdown their own ideas on what actually took place the night of the murders.

Nguyen shared how seeing this blow up on social media has impacted her. 

“To see it blow up on social media, as someone who graduated at the same high school as one of the victims, it really puts the situation into the media spotlight which is uncommon for us to get back at home,” Nguyen said. 

Bruschi described the nuances of sharing details of crime cases on social media. 

“I feel like it [social media] has been harmful [to this case] because I feel like situations are taken more lightly when they are seen through social media,” Bruschi said. “I feel like especially through TikTok people are not going to be as concerned as they probably should be since they are sending it through a social media platform and not a news organization. But I also feel like it is beneficial in some cases that it does help to spread awareness to a different generation of people.”

The Idaho murders are not the first time a real-life murder mystery went viral. In 2021, the murder of lifestyle vlogger Gabby Petito saturated all social media outlets, similar to what is happening now with the murders of Goncalves, Chapin, Kernodle and Mogen. In part because of the huge amount visibility granted by social media, Petito’s murder was solved. However, according to a New York Times article, investigators are pleading that the rumors and theories regarding the case must stop. 

If you are ever concerned about your safety, there are a few resources Toreros have access to help protect themselves. Noonlight is a free app available on the app store that allows students to press and hold a button if they are feeling unsafe. It will notify Public Safety (PSAFE) Officers as well as the nearest San Diego Police (SDPD). Additionally, practice safety measures such as always keeping doors and windows locked. If living off campus, it is important to call 911 if you ever feel unsafe. If living on campus, call PSAFE’s emergency number (619) 260-2222.