MOSCOW, Idaho — The community in Moscow, Idaho — already on edge more than a week after four college students were found stabbed to death — are questioning the legitimacy of a new report about a man who sued two women before they call the police.
The Moscow Report, a local news blog, described a “reader’s report” from Monday night. According to the blog, “Two young women left a residence on Blaine Street around 5:15 p.m. tonight, and walked to their car, where they spotted a man in the front seat, who proceeded to get out and stalk them. chase”.
The women then fled and called 911, and the man left the scene. According to the report, police were unable to find the man, who the blog describes as “an overweight white male wearing a yellow shirt with dirty blonde to brown hair and a scruffy beard.”
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The Moscow Police Department said later that night that officers had investigated the incident “and determined there was no crime and the incident was unfounded.”
In a news release on Tuesday, police received a call about “suspicious activity” just before 5:15 p.m. They said neighbors went to check on the girls after hearing screams.
“They checked the area but found no one. Neighbors told officers who responded that they did not see anyone entering or exiting the vehicle,” police said. “A passerby informed the sisters that he saw a man chasing them and left before speaking to officers. They were unable to confirm these details, and the officer was unaware of this information at the time of the call.”
Police surveyed the area and interviewed a man who matched the physical description, but “learned that he and a friend had just returned from a restaurant”.
The man “approached the sisters to help them,” police said. He “then retired and waited to speak to officers when he was accused of involvement”.
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Investigators fly a drone over the home in Moscow, Idaho, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, where a quadruple murder took place over the weekend.
(Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Police described an ‘unsubstantiated’ call as the term ‘used to close an incident that cannot initially be substantiated. However, if additional information is obtained, the incident may be reopened’.
They asked residents to remain vigilant, but warned them against speculation that Monday’s scare could be linked to the killings.
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Moscow police received a call shortly before noon on November 13 with a report of an “unconscious person” at the King Road home. Several other people had gathered at the address by the time police arrived, officials said
Police have named the four victims of an apparent quadruple homicide near the University of Idaho as Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee GonCalves.
(Moscow City Police Department/Instagram)
The four University of Idaho students were killed on the second and third floors of their home between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on November 13, after spending the night outside.
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Ethan Chapin, 20, students from the University of Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Kaylee Gonçalves, 21.
(Jazzmin Kernodle via AP/Instagram/ @kayleegoncalves)
The victims have been identified as Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho.
Two other housemates were inside the house on the first floor at the time of the killings, but were not injured.
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Police did not identify any suspects, but said they were able to provisionally rule out people.
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It is believed that the victims were all asleep when they were attacked, although some showed signs of defensive wounds. Each victim was stabbed multiple times and showed no signs of sexual assault. They are believed to have all been killed with a single knife.
A quadruple murder is under investigation in Idaho.
(Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
MPD officials are asking the public to share “all exterior surveillance video taken from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 13, 2022, of businesses and residences within” a specific area. A map of the area in question is below.
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Moscow Police Captain Roger Lanier said on Sunday that investigators had received 646 tips since the attack and had since conducted more than 90 interviews.
A quadruple murder is under investigation in Idaho.
(Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
A manhunt continues for the person or people involved in the attack. Police are asking anyone with information or images related to the murders to call 208-883-7180 or tipline@ci.moscow.id.us.
Fox News’ Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.
