Police investigating the brutal murder of four students stabbed to death in their beds have backtracked on earlier claims it was a targeted killing.
The town of Moscow, Idaho, US, was left reeling after the four young people Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20 and Ethan Chapin were found dead on November 13.
From early on in the investigation police have said the attack was likely targeted.
This was backed up by the Latah County Prosecutor’s Office, who announced that the as-of-yet unidentified suspect or suspects looked specifically at the students' house and that one or more of the victims were "undoubtedly targeted".
But an update, released yesterday (November 30) on the police's web page dedicated to the King Road Homicides, stated that this was a "miscommunication".
Image:
Instagram)It read: "Conflicting information has been released over the past 24 hours. The Latah County Prosecutor’s Office stated the suspect(s) specifically looked at this residence, and that one or more of the occupants were undoubtedly targeted.
"We have spoken with the Latah County Prosecutor’s Office and identified this was a miscommunication.
"Detectives do not currently know if the residence or any occupants were specifically targeted but continue to investigate."
Image:
Ted S Warren/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Police also wanted to put to rest speculation about an incident on September 12 where an argument broke out between a group of people walking on the University of Idaho bike path and a cyclist.
Reports suggest that the cyclist pulled out a folding knife during the confrontation before both parties separated and there were no injuries.
The cyclist later turned himself in to the police and misdemeanor charges were referred to the Moscow City Attorney’s Office.
Police assured: "There is no connection between the individual involved in this incident and the current murder investigations."
Image:
Fox News)This latest update comes as family members of the victims and the wider community expressed frustration about the progress of the investigation.
Kaylee's father Steve Goncalves said: "They're kind of just telling me that they can't tell me much, which is frustrating to me because I've been very trustworthy.
"I do know things, I haven't shared things."
He also said that they haven't held a funeral for their dead daughter over fears the killer would attend.
Image:
Ted S Warren/AP/REX/Shutterstock)The coroner stated the four victims were likely asleep, some had defensive wounds, and each was stabbed multiple times.
There was no sign of sexual assault.
Students have been told they can study from home as many have been left feeling unsafe in the wake of the murders.
President Scott Green said that officials are prioritising student safety after the deaths.
Green confirmed the university has "ramped up our security safety practices" and said they would accommodate students who do or do not wish to be on campus.
