A former FBI agent recently said that the suspect in the killing of four University of Idaho students is likely a community member watching the investigation unfold.
"I think this killer is a part of the community. They could be on break and staying their distance, but I believe they're part of this community and they're going to stay, keeping a close ear as to what the rumors are and what people believe and police believe might be involved in this case," Jennifer Coffindaffer said Tuesday during an interview with NewsNation Now.
The remarks by Coffindaffer come amid the ongoing investigation into the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle. The victims were students at the University of Idaho and police have confirmed that they all died from stab wounds.
"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," the Moscow Police Department said in a press release.
Officers were called to the residence where the victims were found on November 13, and since then, no suspect has been identified, prompting widespread concern from community members. A vigil is expected for the slain students, and during her interview, Coffindaffer said it's "very likely and certainly possible" that the suspect would attend the vigil.
Coffindaffer was asked if she thinks law enforcement officials possibly have a person of interest in the case but are not yet releasing it to the public.
"I don't believe so in this case," she said.
During a press conference last week, officials with the Moscow Police Department said that they believe the crime was a targeted attack.
Coffindaffer said that when police use the term "targeted," it means they do not believe it was random.
"They believe that there was at least one of the people that was killed, that specific focus was on that person being murdered," Coffindaffer said, adding that she thinks it's "very likely" police know which victim was the intended target.
"I really believe this is someone in and around their circle," Coffindaffer said. "This is someone that has been hurt. This is somebody that has not been accepted for whatever reason...and struck with extreme violence."
Newsweek reached out to the Moscow Police Department for comment.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Matthew Impelli is a Newsweek staff writer based in New York. His focus is reporting social issues and crime. In ... Read more
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