According to reports, the number of law enforcement officers working on an ongoing homicide investigation in Moscow, Idaho has begun to fluctuate and, in some cases, has been declining over time without any suspects.
For weeks, city officials have been documenting in press releases the number of employees involved in the Nov. 13 shooting deaths of four University of Idaho students. As of Nov. 18, the city of Moscow has announced in its next press release the number of officers and agents from the Moscow Police Department, the Idaho State Police and the FBI who were involved in the investigation of the infamous case.
However, an analysis of press releases since then shows that the number of law enforcement officers dedicated to the case has changed or decreased.
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Belongings of the four victims of the University of Idaho homicide are removed from a home in Moscow, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.
(for Derek Shook)
From November 18 to December 2, 33 employees of the Moscow police – four investigators, 24 patrol officers and five “assistant officers” were involved in the investigation. They were joined by 22 FBI investigators in Moscow, 20 agents from other parts of the country, and two agents from the Behavioral Analysis Unit. In addition, state police have brought in 20 detectives, 15 plainclothes troopers, forensics experts, a mobile crime scene team and a public information officer to “assist public patrols,” the official said.
However, the breakdown provided by the police changed on Saturday. Officials said the resources assigned at the time “will vary depending on the current needs of the investigation.”
An exterior view of the backyard of a home where four people were killed last month in Moscow, Idaho, on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022.
(For Hunter Richards)
“These numbers are estimates and do not reflect additional off-site staffing or other support provided,” the press release said. The case also received assistance from the Latah County Sheriff’s Office, it said.
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As of Saturday, the Moscow Police Department’s staff on the case had dropped to 11: six detectives — down from four previously assigned to two — and five assistant officers.
The State Police Medical Examiner’s Office is seeking a tip on Monday, November 21, 2022 in Moscow, Idaho.
(for Derek Shook)
Meanwhile, the number of FBI agents assigned to the case has increased to 46 investigators working in Moscow and elsewhere in the country and two agents of the Behavioral Analysis Unit.
The Idaho State Police has reduced the number of detectives working on the case from 20 to 13. The number of uniformed soldiers remained unchanged, and the mobile crime scene unit was eliminated. Investigators from the ISP Forensic Service remain on the job and a communications team has also been mobilized, police said.
A sign posted at a local cafeteria in Moscow, Idaho on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, asks the public to seek information in the quadruple murder of four University of Idaho students.
(Stephanie Pagones/)
Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker told Fox News on Wednesday that the investigation is “at a delicate stage.”
“It’s about to become a cold case because the resources, the FBI and the state police are starting to run out,” he said on “America’s Newsroom.”
Idaho police collect belongings of MOSCOW murder victims at crime scene.
He added: “The MVPs will now be analysts, investigative analysts, working with software, case management and forensics software so that they can make connections, make inquiries, and can get all the information I hope so.By now start making smart connections, especially other crimes in other jurisdictions, past and unfortunately in the future, because I think this case will be solved by this kind of police work .
Moscow Police Chief James Fry said the case “doesn’t go cold.”
“We have tips coming in. We have detectives interviewing people every day. We’re still looking at evidence, we’re still looking at all aspects of this,” he told Fox News. “I said earlier that no stone will be left unturned, and I mean it.”
Police said Wednesday they are hoping to speak with anyone inside a 2011-2013 white Hyundai Elantra that was spotted near the crime scene early on the day of the Nov. 13 murders.
READ LATEST PRESS RELEASE HERE:
Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Hana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were found stabbed to death inside a three-story home at 1122 King Street just before noon on Nov. 13. The home is located just one block from the University of Idaho campus. some fraternity houses.
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Officials said the victims were sleeping when they were attacked between 3 and 4 a.m. Each victim was stabbed multiple times and some showed signs of trying to defend themselves.
Attacks were carried out on the second and third floors. Two other roommates were downstairs and survived, police said.
The Moscow Police Department is urging the public to come forward with any pictures or information that may be important or helpful to the investigation. They can do this by calling 208-883-7180, sending tips to tipline@ci.moscow.id.us and sending digital media. Here.
The government also created custom web page In relation to the King Road attack.
Adam Sabes contributed to this report.