Cops find no link between Idaho murders and abandoned white Hyundai Elantra found in Oregon
This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.
EUGENE, OREGON: A white Hyundai Elantra matching the description of the mystery vehicle seen in Moscow, Idaho, at the time of the murders apparently has no connection to the murders of four University of Idaho students, Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, who were found dead in the early hours of November 13, 2022. The police found the damaged white Hyundai Elantra in Eugene, Oregon, which is a 460-mile drive from the town of Moscow, while responding to a 911 call on December 17.
Commenting on it, the Eugene Police Department on Tuesday afternoon, December 20, said, “The vehicle was involved in a collision and subsequently impounded. The vehicle is registered out of Colorado and the female owner is not believed to have any relation to any property in Moscow, Idaho, or the ongoing murder investigations. The public is asked to stop contacting the owner."
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Prior to this update, the Moscow Police Department wrote on December 20, "Investigators are aware of a Hyundai Elantra located in Eugene, Oregon. We are working with the local jurisdiction to determine if the vehicle is related to our case." This comes after the department stated in a statement on December 7, "Detectives are interested in speaking with the occupant(s) of a white 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra, with an unknown license plate. Tips and leads have led investigators to look for additional information about a vehicle being in the immediate area of the King Street residence during the early morning hours of November 13th. Investigators believe the occupant(s) of this vehicle may have critical information to share regarding this case."
However, following the 'no connection' update, internet sleuths were left puzzled about what to believe. One wrote on Reddit, "They are giving us conflicting statements. Police in Oregon say it's unrelated, then Moscow says they are looking into it just recently. They have not investigated or towed the car, still sitting there and people walking up to it taking pictures." Another commented by saying, "This reminds me of the Petito case where a notable car was found a few cities away and the LE wasted resources to find it only to find a dead homeless person and it being completely unrelated." One more said, "They just eported the car's discovery as a possible new lead. Not sure how that jibes with the claim there's no connection.
Authorities are asking the public to call in tips at 208-883-7180, email tipline@ci.moscow.id.us or submit digital media here.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.