University of Idaho massacre: The tragic reason Kaylee Goncalves was in murder house on fateful night
MOSCOW, IDAHO: The devastated parents of University of Idaho victim Kaylee Goncalves have revealed how their daughter was supposed to be with them for the holidays but went back to college to show off her new car to her friends.
It's been a week since the bodies of Kaylee and three other students -- Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin -- were found stabbed to death in a home near campus in the early hours of November 13. Kaylee's mother said her daughter had been home with her family in the days leading up to the incident, but decided to return to Moscow for a couple of nights before moving home for good for the holidays.
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“Kaylee was just home,” her mother Kristi Goncalves told Fox 28 Spokane. “She went back and forth all day long about whether or not (she should go back to Moscow)” Kristi said her daughter finally decided to head back as she was eager to flaunt the new vehicle she had purchased all on her own. The tragic 21-year-old was looking forward to graduating in December and even had a job lined up. Her parents noted how she had so much to celebrate, with their daughter even promising to treat them with her own money upon her return. “We talked a lot,” Kristi said, “I know she had a fun time Friday night…(she) called me around 2:30 Saturday afternoon.” Unfortunately, that was the last conversation they had.
Kristi recalled reaching out to her daughter via text late Sunday morning to ask how the evening went. She initially did not worry when she received no response. “I look back at the times and that’s when the police were swarming (her house,)” the embattled mother said. The family was notified by police of their daughter's murder late Sunday afternoon, and they are still overwhelmed with grief and several unanswered questions a week after the fact. “We have no idea why…none,” Kristi said. “(Whoever did this) is dangerous. And we fear this person can do it again.” Loved ones are constantly plagued by the fear that the killer, who is still at large, could be anyone. “The services for these (victims) will be huge, public,” Kristi said. “And to think, the person (could be) there sitting at the church. I can’t…And their candlelight vigils. All of it. It makes me sick thinking that person could be right behind us. It’s sickening. Sickening. We’re sick.”
Authorities are yet to reveal any suspects or persons of interest in connection with the case, but Kaylee's mother believes the killer wasn't a stranger. “This is a small town, a college town, and I feel they knew this person,” Kristi said. “We absolutely don’t know that, but I feel that in my heart. I don’t know why.” Police told the family that it would take a while to investigate the crime since the perp left a "mess" and the evidence was overwhelming. While investigators have not speculated a connection between the killer and the victims, Kaylee's family is certain that this crime required some level of planning. “This person somehow snuck into the house, whether it was a door or window, he was not invited,” Kristi said. “He came in with a weapon with the intention to kill. Not just one, but four. One right after another, after another, after another.”
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The family is in frequent touch with those working on the quadruple homicide case. “My husband is in contact with them every day,” Kristi said. “The FBI, Moscow, and Idaho State Police. Every day… it’s nothing. I’m just like nothing…nothing. I don’t know if it’s because they have nothing or they are protecting the investigation.” The family insisted that only the apprehension of the suspect would give them some semblance of peace. “Turn yourself in,” Kristi urged, adding, “Stop all this. Let us mourn our children. We can’t with this person out there. Just end it. The guilt has to be overwhelming. Stop hiding.”