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'Surprising!' Idaho Crime Stoppers make pleas for tips on stolen luggage but ignore student murders

Idaho’s three Crime Stoppers programs have stayed silent about the shocking murders of four University of Idaho students
UPDATED DEC 25, 2022
University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were murdered on November 13 (Instagram/@xanakernodle and @maddiemogen)
University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were murdered on November 13 (Instagram/@xanakernodle and @maddiemogen)

This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.

MOSCOW, IDAHO: Crime Stoppers groups in the Idaho region have been silent on the shocking murders of four University of Idaho students, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. Instead, the groups have called for information on Facebook about stolen luggage from an airport as well as unrelated burglary cases.

According to the New York Post, the region's program director said the group's response was "surprising." The shocking lack of attention to the headline-grabbing murders is unusual because the state has always boasted "strong" Crime Stoppers programs, said Larry Wieda, who has been executive director of Northern Colorado Crime Stoppersfor 41 years.

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According to its website, "Crime Stoppers programs offer cash rewards of up to $1000 to persons providing anonymous information that leads to the felony arrest of criminals and fugitives." None of the regions have asked for the public's help in case of this murder and has not promised any rewards.  Aaron Snell, Spokesperson for Idaho Police Department, stated, “At this time, no (cash) reward is being offered. The department has received more than 15,000 leads from the public in the case." There is still no clarity regarding whether Canadian law enforcement is involved in the investigation. This doubt has risen because the murder occurred in Idaho, which is less than a four-hour drive from Rykerts, British Columbia. Snell also refused to provide a clear answer to the same question. He said, “We are unwilling to speculate on the location of a potential suspect – which we currently do not have. However, we will work with any outside agency that may be able to support our investigation."

Madison Mogen, 21, top left, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, bottom left, Ethan Chapin, 20, center, and Xana Kernodle, 20, right.(Photo credit screenshot xanakernodle/Instagram)
Madison Mogen, 21, top left, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, bottom left, Ethan Chapin, 20, center, and Xana Kernodle, 20, right.(@xanakernodle/Instagram)

Meanwhile, the investigation team is still struggling to find the suspect, murder weapon, or motive behind the murders. The parents of the victims have indicated their worries about the investigation. Steve Goncalves, the father of Kaylee Goncalves, said, “They’ve messed up a million times. But I don’t get to say that because what experience does Steve have? He doesn’t know. He’s just a dad who woke up one day and had his life turned upside down," reported Fox News Digital. On the other hand, Xana's mother Cara Northington said, "There is so much that can be done that has not been done. They haven’t said anything. I learn more on the news and TV than what they do have said to me." Steve also said, “We’re gunna get our justice.” He continued, “We’re gunna figure stuff out. This community deserves that.”  

Steve Goncalves is the father of Kaylee Goncalves (Fox news screenshot/ YouTube)
Steve Goncalves, the father of Kaylee Goncalves, says that the investigation team has messed up a 'million times' (Screenshot/Fox News)

However, Moscow Police Public information officer Robbie Johnson stated, "This is not a cold case and what you can see to show that is we have so many tips coming in...we have essentially an army of experts and support from the FBI to go through all these tips and the tips are valuable." A cold case as defined by the National Institute of Justice in 2008 states, "The National Institute of Justice currently defines a cold case as any case whose probative investigative leads have been exhausted. In essence, this means a case that is only a few months old may be defined as being 'cold,' reported NewsWeek.

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