4 University Of Idaho Students Likely Killed With An 'Edged Weapon,' Says Police

On Nov. 15, police announced that they believe an edged weapon was used in the murders of four University of Idaho students, said reports.

According to officials, all four of the students who were discovered dead inside a house close to school just before noon on Sunday, Nov. 13, are treated as victims in this case.

No weapons have been located thus far, police said, but based on preliminary information, "investigators believe that an edged weapon such as a knife was used," Moscow Police Captain Anthony Dahlinger said in a statement. There are no suspects in custody.

Autopsies scheduled to be completed later this week could provide more information on the exact cause of death.

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.

The Moscow Police Department has labeled the deaths as "homicides" but maintains there is not an active risk to the community.

According to the university, Chapin was a freshman and a Sigma Chi fraternity member, and Kernodle was a junior studying marketing and a Pi Beta Phi sorority member. Mogen was a senior also majoring in marketing and a member of Pi Beta Phi, and Goncalves was a senior majoring in general studies and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority.

University of Idaho president Scott Green said the students were all "killed" under tragic circumstances, and Moscow Mayor Art Bettge said all four of the students were considered victims in the investigation. Moscow Police Capt. Anthony Dahlinger told the Idaho Statesman Monday, Nov. 14, that none of the deceased students are believed to be responsible for the deaths.

The students likely died between 3 and 4 a.m., but they weren't discovered for hours, Bettge said.

Brian Nickerson, the fire chief of the Moscow Volunteer Fire and EMS Department, said police were the first to arrive at the home. The first responders from the fire and EMS department didn't go inside or transport anyone from the scene, Nickerson said.

A vigil for the slain students set for this week was postponed until after the school's fall break next week, University of Idaho spokesman Kyle Pfannenstiel told CBS News.