Idaho murders: Clueless police now target web 'sleuths', say they may face charges for spreading theories
This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.
MOSCOW, IDAHO: Around four weeks have passed since the horrific murders of four Univeristy of Idaho students in an off-campus house on the earling morning of November 13, but police have yet to name the suspect(s) in the case. The lack of information has not just left the victims’ families angry and frustrated but has also birthed numerous rumors and speculations, forcing law enforcement officials to issue a stern warning.
Moscow Police Chief James Fry said on Friday, December 9, that “We want people to pay attention to what we're putting out there because that is accurate information, and anything that comes from other sources is either rumor or speculation.” Besides this, the Moscow Police Department also noted, “Anyone engaging in threats or harassment whether in person, online or otherwise needs to understand that they could be subjecting themselves to criminal charges.”
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“Moscow Police Department cautions the public not to rely on rumors and remains committed to keeping the public informed. We urge reliance on official channels for accurate information,” said the statement.
The 20-year-old Xana Kernodle was killed with Ethan Chapin, also 20, and Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, in November. The motive behind the quadruple homicide is not yet known but cops reportedly believe that they were stabbed to their deaths by the killer(s) wielding a 'Rambo-style knife'. However, the slow probe has also led to criticisms about police inefficiency and according to one insider, officers “likely destroyed evidence due their negligence, or allowed it to be compromised with their sluggish response,” The Daily Mail reported.
It has been said that one of the vital pieces of proof was a set of tire marks seen close to the murder house, where killings took place. But cops apparently took nearly a week’s time before taking its measurements. The insider revealed, “The reality is this evidence was likely obliterated and if the cops had done things correct, those tire marks would have been photographed, measured, and preserved, on the day when the victims were found."
The source added, “The time that elapsed between when the bodies were found and forensics team returned to the crime scene allowed crucial evidence to be corrupted, by weather or other activity. With no suspect, no murder weapon and little to no leads, you have to ask the question: did police botch the investigation from the get-go?”
Earlier, one of the victims’ father, Steve Goncalves, expressed his annoyance about how the investigation was proceeding. Kaylee’s father had reportedly said, “They’ve [cops] 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.” He also said that the family will be hiring a lawyer to get details of the probe from the police. “There are things that we can request and things we can do to get to the truth faster. You have to fill out forms to get this evidence released to you. I don't know how to do that,” Steve added.