The cause of death of four murdered University of Idaho students has been confirmed by a coroner, multiple news outlets have reported.
On Sunday (November 13) the bodies of Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were found in an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, around midday, The Independent reported.
According to the outlet, police were called to the home where they discovered the grisly scene. Two female roommates were present at the time of the discovery. Idaho State Police spokesman Aaron Snell said that he believes the two women could hold "the key to this whole thing."
"The investigators continue to work hard trying to interview everyone who might have any information," County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said, "and hopefully figure out and identify what occurred and why and who is responsible," per NBC News.
DNA samples have been taken from the crime scene, however, no suspects have been named, nor have there been any arrests made in connection with the tragic murders.
Latah County Coroner Catherine Mabbutt revealed in a Moscow Police Department statement that all four students had been fatally stabbed, and announced that their deaths were being investigated as homicides.
Mabbutt told NBC News that she suspects the four students were stabbed with a "large knife," saying: "It would have had to have been ... not a pocket knife. It would have been a bigger knife."
She added that the deaths occurred some time after 02:00 AM, and that the wounds were "pretty extensive," before admitting: "We have had multiple murders in the past, but nothing like this with four college students."
The same NBC report also revealed that complete autopsy reports wouldn't be available for a further four to six weeks, pending toxicology.
Most disturbingly, it was revealed that the killings were most likely "personal," according to Mabbutt, via The New York Post. Each victim was allegedly stabbed more than once, and there were no signs of sexual assault.
The father of 20-year-old Kernodle told Arizona Family that he believes the autopsy results show that his daughter fought her killer until the end, saying: "Bruises, torn by the knife. She's a tough kid. Whatever she wanted to do, she could do it."
He also spoke to the outlet about how proud he was of his daughter - who was dating Ethan Chapin, one of the other victims - and how impressive and responsible she was.
"Her and Ethan were together about a year, give or take. And she, really, when I went up there she, I saw her just a week before that and she changed a lot. She had a life. She got to see what it was like to have a boyfriend you live with. And she really turned around. She was really responsible. Helping him out with his studies and stuff. I was really impressed," he said.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves at this tragic time.