Idaho state police reveals staggering cost of investigation into quadruple student murders
MOSCOW, IDAHO: The investigation and court proceedings related to the brutal slayings of four University of Idaho students - Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20 - have been ongoing since November 2022, and Idaho State Police have released information about expenses related to the case. Aaron Snell, communications director for the Idaho State Police, shared that as of Monday, February 6, $282,109.35 has been spent.
Expenses include all travel, overtime, laboratory testing, and evidence storage expenses. Also included are the many miscellaneous activities that came together in a lengthy investigation to catch a suspect. The expense report was obtained through a public records access request. The Idaho State Police provided resources to the Moscow Police Department, a much smaller police force.
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Aaron Snell reveals investigation expense details
According to ISP Communications Director Aaron Snell the nature of the murder inquiry allows it to be qualified as a “significant investigation” and that the costs of this investigation are “uncommon” when compared to other regular cases, due to the scale of the proceedings. However, he also states that he does not believe in a defined standard to evaluate if the expenses are justified, according to the Northeastern Post.
'More expenditures as inquiry progresses'
Idaho Governor Brad Little has allocated $1 million from the state's emergency budget to assist law enforcement agencies with their duties. In announcing the funds, Little also shared that the expenditure will be evaluated by the Idaho Police Department, with any assistance needed. Until the money is received by the Idaho State Police, investigations will continue with various revenues. So far, not all of the appropriated funds have been used, but the expectation is that "more expenditures" will crop up as the "inquiry progresses" and will certainly result in more money being spent.
Moscow police had rejected an earlier request to publish expense data, citing the gag order issued by the Latah County magistrate court in January, saying it would violate the order. The FBI has also refused to disclose the amount of money it spent to support the investigation.
