MOSCOW, Idaho (NewsNation) — More than a month after the off-campus stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, officers on Friday announced they’d made an arrest.
Bryan C. Kohberger, 28, of Pullman, Washington, is charged in connection with the deaths of Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho.
Students fled and residents remained on edge more than a week after the killings in the small Idaho college town of Moscow.
All four victims were members of fraternities and sororities. The women were roommates and Chapin was dating Kernodle.
“There’s a lot of anxiety and a lot of people not knowing what to do to keep their friends and family safe,” one student told NewsNation.
The FBI and the state police are assisting local police in the investigation. Moscow hasn’t had a murder case in about seven years.
Authorities asked for help in the investigation, including asking for people to come forward with surveillance video.
If you saw something suspicious on the night of Nov. 12, or have any information, call the police tip line at 208-883-7180 or email to tipline@ci.moscow.id.us.
School officials also organized a vigil on campus for Nov. 30 when students were scheduled to return from Thanksgiving break. Ahead of their return, University President Scott Green sent a memo to students saying:
“We need to remain flexible this week and grant our students and colleagues room to process these unprecedented events in their own way. Students, you are encouraged to do what is right for you. Whether this is going home early or staying in class, you have our support.”
Here’s what we know about the slain students’ final hours, and the investigation that has followed.
Saturday, Nov. 12
8 p.m. Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, who were dating, attend a party at the Sigma Chi fraternity house.
10 p.m. Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen hang out at a local sports bar, the Corner Club in downtown Moscow, for several hours.
Sunday, Nov. 13
1 a.m. Two surviving roommates returned home. Police say they may have slept through the attack.
1:40 a.m. Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves are seen on video ordering food from Grub Truck, a local food vendor. They wait about 10 minutes for their food, and can be seen chatting with each other and other people standing by the truck.
Food truck manager Joseph Woodall, 26, told CNN the two students did not seem to be in distress or in danger in any way.
The pair then uses a “private party” to get a ride home. (Police say they have cleared the driver of any connection with the crimes.)
Approximately 1:45 a.m. All four of the murdered students arrive back at the house.
Approximately 2:30 to 3 a.m. Goncalves’ repeated calls to ex-boyfriend Jake Schriger go unanswered. Family members say this was not unusual, and police say Schriger is not connected to the crimes.
Approximately 3 to 5 a.m. The four students, who were believed to be sleeping at the time, are killed in the house. The coroner later states some had defensive wounds, and each was stabbed multiple times. There was no sign of sexual assault.
Shortly before noon: Two surviving roommates wake up. After finding one of the victims on the second floor unresponsive, they call friends over to the house.
11:58 a.m. A 911 call is received about an “unconscious individual” on one of the surviving roommates’ phones. Responding officers find the four students killed. (Police have declined to name who made the call, but said they are not being investigated as a suspect.)
Police say there were no signs of forced entry when they arrived, finding a bloody and gruesome scene. “It was a pretty traumatic scene to find four dead college students in a residence,” Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt told a local TV station.
Family members report the home was known as a “party house” and that previous visitors may have known the keypad lock code.
3 p.m. University of Idaho posts an alert on social media channels about the murders and tells students to shelter in place, an instruction that was rescinded about 45 minutes later.
Later that afternoon, police confirm the deaths of the four students to the media for the first time.
Monday, Nov. 14
Police release the names of the students killed. The FBI arrives to assist with the investigation.
Tuesday, Nov 15
As fear mounts on campus, students begin leaving early for Thanksgiving break. Professors start canceling classes and postponing assignments.
“Everybody kind of went back home because they’re scared (with no suspect) caught,” student Nathan Tinno told CNN. “It’s definitely uneasy.”
Wednesday, Nov. 16
More information comes out about the weapon used, saying it was an “edged weapon such as a knife.”
In a joint news conference with the FBI, local police walk back previous safety assurances, saying they are unable to determine if the public is at greater risk.
“We cannot say there’s no threat to the community and as we have stated, please stay vigilant, report any suspicious activity and be aware of your surroundings at all times,” Moscow Police Chief James Fry said.
Thursday, Nov. 17
More information is released from the coroner about murders, officially naming the cause of death “homicide — murder.”
Friday, Nov. 18
Police debunk misinformation being shared online about the crimes during a news conference. Detectives also search three dumpsters, which they later say did not contain much evidence.
Sunday, Nov. 20
Moscow Police Chief James Fry said authorities have received nearly 650 tips and conducted 90 interviews so far. Still, no suspect has been arrested and the murder weapon has yet to be found.
“No one is in custody and that means no one is safe,” sister Alivea Goncalves told the Idaho Statesman in a statement. “Yes, we are all heartbroken. Yes, we are all grasping. But more strong than any of these feelings is anger. We are angry. You should be angry.”
Friday, Dec. 30
Police arrested 28-year-old Bryan C. Kohberger of Pullman, Washington in connection with the killings.
The suspect was arrested on a warrant in the early morning in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. A criminal complaint filed in Idaho charged Kohberger with four counts first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary, Latah County, Idaho Prosecutor Bill Thompson said at a news conference.
Kohberger remains in Pennsylvania awaiting extradition to Latah County. He is scheduled for an extradition hearing Tuesday, Monroe County court records show. A public defender has been appointed to represent him.
More information surrounding investigators’ suspicions will likely be available only after Kohberger is served with an arrest warrant in Idaho, officials said.
During a news conference announcing the arrest, officials declined to comment on several details, including what led them to them to Kohberger, a possible motive and whether he knew the students. .
Investigators continue to search for the weapon used in the stabbing.
NewsNation digital reporter Katie Smith contributed to this report.