Knife used to kill 4 university students in possible ‘crime of passion’

Police are investigating the deaths of four college students in what authorities are calling a ‘crime of passion (Picture: AP)

Police believe a knife or other ‘edged weapon’ was used to kill four college students who were found dead in a home on Sunday.

Four students living off-campus near the University of Idaho were found dead on Sunday morning, in what police are calling a ‘likely homicide.’

The victims were identified as Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.

Investigators currently have frustratingly few leads on the case. ‘The overall assessment is that it’s a crime of passion,’ Mayor Art Bettge told the New York Times.

A small number of students gather in the University of Idaho’s Student Union Building as classes were cancelled to honor student victims of a homicide investigation at an apartment complex south of campus (Picture: AP)

However, they have also not ruled out additional theories, such as a botched burglary attempt.

Autopsies for the victims are scheduled for later this week, and police are hoping that these will shed additional light into the incident.

‘This was an isolated, targeted attack and there is no imminent threat to the community at large,’ Moscow police stated.

The police said they were attempting to recreate the events of Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13 in lead up to the attack. The four students could be seen in photo together posted on social media only hours before their deaths.

Officers investigate a homicide at an apartment complex south of the University of Idaho (Picture: AP)

Currently, police have no suspects or persons of interest.

The fatal incident took place just blocks away from University of Idaho campus buildings. The university cancelled classes on Monday, posted additional security officers, and made counselling services available to students after the incident.

‘As Vandals, we come together and support one another through challenging times, leaning into our collective strength,’ University of Idaho President Scott Green stated on Monday.

Green also said the university plans to hold a candlelight vigil for the slain students before the campus leaves for Thanksgiving break.

Moscow, Idaho is a small college town of 25,000 people located about 80 miles from Spokane, Washington. The last time it saw a murder was in 2015.

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