A memorial service was scheduled for Monday for one of four Idaho State University students stabbed to death in their home early Nov. 13, as police in the student town of Moscow have yet to identify a suspect in the killing.
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — Friends and family gathered Monday to remember one of the four University of Idaho students stabbed to death in their home in early November 13, as police officers in the student town of Moscow a suspect has not yet been identified in murders.
A memorial service for Ethan Chapin was held in Mount Vernon, Washington, a town on Puget Sound north of Seattle.
“We want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of Ethan’s life,” his family wrote in a memorial program. “It’s an incredible testament to his character how many lives he touched in his short 20 years. The loss is unimaginable, but our family will persevere.”
Chapin, 20, was a triplet and is survived by his parents and siblings Maisie and Hunter. He attended Mount Vernon High School where he played basketball. All three triplets enrolled at the University of Idaho last August.
“Since attending Idaho State University, Ethan has lived a better life,” his obituary said. “He loved social life, extracurricular activities and tolerated academics. He also continued to do sports.”
“When he wasn’t on the golf course or working, he could usually be found surfing, playing sand volleyball or playing pickleball,” the obituary said.
On Sunday, law enforcement officials investigating the deaths asked for patience after a week without arrests.
Authorities said they had no suspects or weapons in the slayings that rocked Moscow, a city of 25,000 in the Idaho Panhandle that hasn’t had a homicide in about five years.
Students and residents expressed concern over the lack of details from police, who initially said there was no danger to the public but admitted days later that they could not say there was no threat.
“We know people want answers — we want answers, too,” said Idaho State Police Col. Kedrick Wills. “Please be patient while we work on this investigation.”
Moscow Police Chief James Fry said authorities received nearly 650 tips and conducted 90 interviews. Police also asked businesses and homes in certain parts of the city to share with them video footage recorded between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. on the day of the murders.
The university is on Thanksgiving break this week.
The victims were Chapin; seniors Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Kaylee Gonsalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho; and junior Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls, Idaho. The women were roommates, and Chapin dated Kernodle.
Authorities said Sunday that each suffered multiple stab wounds and that some had defensive wounds.
Police said two other roommates who were in the home the night of the murders slept through the attack and woke up later that day. Police said one of their phones was used to call 911 from the home at 11:58 a.m. Police on Sunday declined to say who called 911.
Police said evidence led them to believe the students were targeted, although they did not provide details and declined to do so again Sunday. Investigators say nothing was stolen from the victims or the home. Police said there were no signs of forced entry and first responders found the door open when they arrived.
Dozens of additional law enforcement officers have arrived in Moscow, officials said.
The Moscow Police Department reported that four operatives, five auxiliary personnel and 24 patrol officers are dealing with the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has 22 investigators who assist in Moscow and another 20 agents who assist from outside the region. Idaho State Police assigned 20 investigators, 15 troopers to patrol and their mobile crime scene team.
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