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Idaho murders: Is white Hyundai Elantra driver the killer? Internet debate rages as hunt goes on

'Investigators believe the occupant(s) of this vehicle may have critical information to share regarding this case,' said Idaho Police Department

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

IDAHO, MOSCOW: It has been a month since the death of four students, Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21 of the University of Idaho. However, the police department is confident that the white Hyundai Elantra holds key information in the case. 

Meanwhile, Internet sleuths are debating across social media platforms if Elantra's owner will have some crucial information in the case. Police claimed in a statement on December 15, “Tips and leads have led investigators to look for additional information about a vehicle being in the immediate area of the King Street residence during the early morning hours of November 13th. Investigators believe the occupant(s) of this vehicle may have critical information to share regarding this case." 

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"If you know of or own a vehicle matching this description or know of anyone who may have been driving this vehicle on the days preceding or the day of the murders, please forward that information to the Tip Line," said the statement. According to The Independent,  Moscow Police Captain Roger Lanier stated that they are searching through a database of 22,000 white Hyundai Elantras with matching registrations. Earlier, the police also issued a statement claiming, "Detectives are interested in speaking with the occupant(s) of a white 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra, with an unknown license plate. Tips and leads have led investigators to look for additional information about a vehicle being in the immediate area of the King Street residence during the early morning hours of November 13th. Investigators believe the occupant(s) of this vehicle may have critical information to share regarding this case."

However, one of the victims, Kaylee's parents Kristi and Steve Goncalves, made a plea to a local business to check through the footage after a gas station attendant found a clip of a white Hyundai, reported Daily Mail. Steve said in an interview with 'Good Morning America', "We're hitting the month [mark]; if the key part of the evidence is outside that [time frame], then we have to get it now." Later, Kristi added, "I think he really thought it out. I think he was quick, I think it was quiet. And he got in and he got out." Though it has been over a month, there are still no suspects in the case. 

 'I see no credible reason for why this person has not come forward'

Internet sleuths are curious to explain their theories on the white Hyundai Elantra owner.  A user said on Reddit, "I see no credible reason for why this person has not come forward and contacted investigators. Which almost certainly means they are the killer or know who did it, right? IF they are the suspect, I’m pretty confident they will get identified and arrested soon once investigators sift through the people who own this exact type." Another user said, " Fear of being implicated, fear of their name being released and now their life is ruined, fear of police. There are alot of reasons and honestly, I can't say I would jump up and talk to cops especially since this is a big case and they want it solved." 

A comment read, " I do agree with you that not EVERYONE is following this case like many of us are, and it quite possibly could be someone who doesn’t know a while Elantra is being sought - I do find it more plausible, however, that the person with the white Elantra is somehow involved in the case and is avoiding coming forward." A user also explained, "I truly and fully don’t understand people saying the driver might not know because they don’t follow the news. They just happen to be on King Rd. at 3-5am but are not a) the suspect or b) part of a demographic that would inevitably know about the murders (student, resident of Moscow or Pullman, family member of neighbor/student/resident)? In what world? And yes, I know that if you live in New York or Massachusetts or wherever the people around you might not know about the case. You cannot use this as defense for how someone in Moscow wouldn’t know about the case, lol." 

"There’s also the possibility that they are innocent but don’t trust cops because they think they will be wrongly imprisoned," said a user. Another comment stated, "Hard disagree. I am an attorney and if I had a client who had a record and a white elantra, even if they were innocent, I would advise them to remain silent. People are wrongfully convicted all the time and it is often a mistake to talk to the police even if you are innocent. The police often make mistakes. I could easily imagine someone with a minor criminal record coming forward as the owner of an elantra and giving the police an honest accounting of their time that the police don't buy for one reason or another then becoming embroiled in this to a life ruining degree. Silence should not be suspicious in the criminal justice system." 

Another user wrote, "They aren’t coming forward because 1. They are the murderer 2. They don’t know they are wanted ( Highly unlikely ) 3. They did something else illegal or unethical ( the cheating on wife in the middle of the night example ) and don’t want police attention. 1 and 3 are the most likely and I think 1 is probably the case." A user also noted, "So I had a thought tonight that I’d love to get others opinions on. Prior to the Elantra lead, I was positive this was 1 person. Then once they released that information and their wording of “occupant(s)” along with a few other details, started making me lean towards 2 people. Now you’d think if they knew who the killer was, they could find the car link and boom case over. However clearly not the case. What if the second person involved was the getaway driver and the car is linked to them. So when the cops say they think this person has critical information to the case, it’s their way of telling the accomplice to come forward without saying there’s an accomplice and also potentially allowing them to barter a better sentence by helping to catch and prosecute the killer as a witness. Thoughts?"