A little after 4 a.m. on November 13, 2022, the quiet college town of Moscow, Idaho, became the scene of an unthinkable horror. Four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20—were brutally stabbed to death in their off-campus home. The three women lived in the house; Chapin had been staying overnight with his girlfriend, Kernodle. Two other housemates were left unharmed, their survival adding another haunting layer to the mystery.
For a town that hadn’t seen a murder since 2015, the gruesome crime shattered the sense of security many had taken for granted. The brutality, the victims’ youth, and the eerie randomness of the attack ignited nationwide fear and curiosity. The questions loomed large: Why these students? How did the killer get in? And, most pressingly, who was responsible?
J. Reuben Appelman, a writer and private investigator, explores these very questions in his book While Idaho Slept. In an exclusive interview with A&E True Crime, Appelman provides a deeper look into the case, the investigation, and the lasting impact on the community.
A Case That Gripped the World
“My daughter attended the University of Idaho,” Appelman reveals. “I’ve worked in Moscow as an investigator. This case wasn’t just news to me—it was personal. I had mutual friends with some of the victims and survivors.”
The sheer terror of the crime resonated far beyond Idaho. College students across the country saw themselves in the victims. Social media exploded with theories, speculation, and collective unease. “It’s the ultimate nightmare—someone entering your home in the dead of night and committing such a savage act. That fear drove the overwhelming attention on this case,” Appelman explains.
Did Inexperience Hinder the Investigation?
With such a rare crime in their jurisdiction, many wondered if the Moscow Police Department was equipped to handle the case. However, Appelman is quick to defend the force. “Chief [James] Fry was unfairly portrayed by the media as an inexperienced small-town cop. The reality is, he had FBI training and immediately brought in the Idaho State Police and the FBI to assist. His dedication was clear—this case was personal to him. The victims weren’t just names on a report; they were members of his community.”
The Rise of Armchair Detectives
The murders sparked an unprecedented level of online sleuthing. While some social media users provided valuable insights, others wreaked havoc by spreading misinformation and wrongly accusing innocent people. “Thousands of amateur detectives latched onto this case,” says Appelman. “In some ways, they helped—pushing law enforcement to be more transparent and surfacing potential leads. But the downside was brutal. Misinformation ran wild, and innocent people’s lives were upended.”
A professor was falsely accused and forced into hiding. Friends of the victims became targets of harassment. “Police shouldn’t have to waste time dispelling rumors,” Appelman argues. “They need to focus on solving the crime.”
Remembering the Victims
Beyond the crime and the investigation, While Idaho Slept also sheds light on the lives tragically cut short. “These were four well-loved, incredible people,” Appelman shares. “Everywhere I looked, I heard nothing but good things about them. They were kind, full of life, and deeply cared for each other.”
The senselessness of their deaths makes the tragedy all the more gut-wrenching. “These weren’t just faces on the news. They were sons, daughters, best friends. They had dreams, love, and laughter. And someone came in and took it all away.”
The investigation led to an arrest just six weeks after the murders, but the scars left on Moscow—and on those who followed the case—may never fully heal. As the world continues to seek justice for Kaylee, Madison, Xana, and Ethan, their memory remains a reminder of both the fragility of life and the devastating impact of senseless violence.
