Idaho murders: Official reveals why police have chosen to remain tight-lipped about investigation
This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently
MOSCOW, IDAHO: It has been more than two weeks since Moscow police began investigating the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students. It appears that the Idaho State Police are purposefully withholding information concerning the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, according to Idaho State Police Communication Director Aaron Snell.
During an interview with Fox News, Snell said that investigators "don't currently have a suspect" but keeping certain information "from view is going to be critical into trying to develop that."
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Snell said, "It will potentially put more fear, more suspicion on a wide variety of people versus if we use that to really refine where we're at in our investigation. I think that will be more pertinent. And so if we just provide information to the public, I just don't think that that's going to be a wise choice."
NYPD Inspector Paul Mauro also confirmed the withholding of information from criminal profilers and evidence collected at the scene. According to Mauro, the lack of key details released to the public could aid investigators in finding a suspect swiftly in addition to protecting the integrity of the investigation.
"‘If and when they get a suspect, and are able to question them, then the police can ask them questions and see if they know details that have not been released to the public," Mauro said. Snell also claimed that the suspect(s) had targeted one or more of the women killed.
When Snell was asked who the target was, he said that the information was "pertinent to the investigation" but "ultimately will come out." Snell also added that the authorities were using the most advanced technology to piece together the sequence of events on November 13.
Additionally, Snell raised concerns about the possibility of contamination of the crime scene, since two roommates were at home during the murders. "I am confident that there wasn't a compromise in the integrity of the investigation. We know that the Moscow Police Department arrived at scene. They essentially saw what had occurred," Snell said.
"They locked it down and then additional resources came in. We have a lot of the best of the best, the best technology, the latest and greatest as far as training goes. So, indeed, I believe in the integrity of this investigation," he concluded.