'This makes sense': Internet feels Idaho cops may purposely withhold info as 'media can destroy credibility'
This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.
MOSCOW, IDAHO: It has been more than a month since the brutal murders of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, in their rental home in Moscow. The investigation team has been constantly criticized for being unable to name the suspect, find the motive, or even seek the murder weapon.
However, a recent discussion on Reddit indicates the reason behind the investigation team holding back information could be the media. In a post shared by a user, there is a picture of a page from Ann Ruler's 'Green River, Running Red' where the user marked a portion in the page which read, "Yes, they were looking closely at him, but if it hit the media, the suspect would have an opportunity to get rid of the evidence before the task force could obtain a search warrant."
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The user has also stated in the caption, "This book is about the Green River Killer- back in the 80s. Just because we haven’t heard anything, doesn’t mean there’s no suspect or anyone they are watching." The discussion on Reddit is occurring at a point where it is speculated that this case might become yet another cold case. Though 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 an army of experts and support essentially from the FBI to go through all these tips and the tips are valuable." The National Institute of Justice in 2008 defined a cold case "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,'" according to Newsweek.
Meanwhile, the parents of the four University of Idaho students have indicated their worries about the investigation. Steve Goncalves, the father of Kaylee Goncalves, stated, “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.”
'The media can be massively detrimental to a case'
The discussion on Reddit had different dimensions of opinion. A user stated, "Lots of people don’t seem to understand this. The media can be massively detrimental to a case. As it say, if the killer sees the media announce the police have a suspect or are going to make an arrest, they could flee or destroy evidence. The police aren’t going to jeopardise the case so likely know a lot more than they’re telling the media. People seem to think that because no new details are being released that the police have nothing."
Another opined, "The media tipped off Richard Ramirez by releasing that the cops knew his shoe size etc. there was less than 5 pairs of his specific shoes in his size in all of California at the time and it was one of their only major leads. Once it got released on the news Richard threw the shoes off the Golden Gate Bridge and the cops were set back. The media can absolutely f**k these cases right up."
A user had another claim, "This makes sense, but I feel like the suspect has already had plenty of time to dispose of evidence and try to cover his tracks by now. What I'd be worried about is fleeing, or suicide. Not that I'd care if he unalived himself, but just for the hope that the families get answers. Alhough, there's no answers that will ever suffice for what happened to these kids, and even if there was, he might take it to his grave with him. Lots of killees never confess, even decades into their sentences after all possible appeals have been exhaust. A comment read, "The media can destroy the credibility of a case."
A comment stated, "People always feel “owed” the latest but it is so harmful for the cops to show their hand. You think you’re glued to the press updates? Imagine the killer. They want whoever he is to think they have nothing so he doesn’t destroy whatever remaining evidence there is or run." Another user claimed, "I've wondered to what measure can the FBI and LE deceptively interpret evidence to the media to ensure the suspect feels at ease. At what point is it considered "crossing an ethical boundary" when manipulating the truth to the media/public to lure in a suspect?."
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.