Murdered Idaho Students Honored on Graduation Day As Investigation Drags On

While the police are attempting to solve the mystery of who murdered four students from Idaho, the victims' classmates have reached a major milestone without them.

University life is limping on for the rest of the cohort and faculty at the University of Idaho, which marked graduation day over the weekend. But their slain classmates were not forgotten as the university paid tribute to them during the ceremony.

The institution used the occasion to honor the four young people: Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.

Some 565 students donned ceremonial caps and gowns and walked onto the stage on Saturday to receive their degrees. Goncalves was supposed to be among them, having been due to graduate early and with a full-time job in Austin, Texas, waiting for her.

But she and her friends were stabbed in their beds by an unknown attacker in an off-campus home in the town of Moscow on November 13. Two other female students were sleeping in the house at the time but were unharmed; they have been ruled out as suspects.

One month on, the investigation is no closer to a conclusion.

An influx of visitors flocked to the college town on Saturday as families arrived to see their loved ones graduate and celebrate their academic achievements. But all were issued a warning by local police, who asked people to remain "vigilant" and always travel in groups.

The four victims were memorialized during the graduation ceremony at the ICCU Arena in Moscow by the university's president, C. Scott Green, who said it had "been a tough few weeks" for everyone.

The event was live-streamed by the university. "Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Maddie Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves were taken from us far too soon from a senseless act of violence," Green said during the commencement.

"They were bright lights on our campus and cherished members of our community." He then led a minute of silence. When the school's choir performed a hymn, many in the audience were filmed weeping.

One graduate appeared to be holding back tears as she paid tribute to Goncalves. Speaking to NewsNation after the ceremony, Carina Rodriguez said she hadn't known Goncalves particularly well, but, she said: "She was supposed to be here, so I'm just thinking about her and her family. She was supposed to be with us."

The Moscow Police Department has been contacted for comment by Newsweek.