If Idaho murder victims ‘were going to go, they were going to go together,’ friend says

MOSCOW, Idaho – Perched in the third story window of a rental home outside the University of Idaho sits a pair of pink cowgirl boots next to a large, decorative letter “M.”

Those boots belonged to Madison “Maddie” Mogen, a 21-year-old college senior who enjoyed dancing to country music and made everyone laugh.

In longtime friend and fellow 21-year-old student Kaylee Goncalves, Mogen — an only child from Coeur d’Alene — found a sister.

“She [Mogen] loved having a sister with not only Kaylee but her entire family and it allowed her to see all the beauty in sisterhood,” said the young women’s childhood friend, who chose to remain anonymous to keep the story focused on Goncalves and Mogen rather than herself.

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“She’d say Maddie is always her forever plus-one,” the friend explained.

Mogen and Goncalves, along with friend Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were stabbed to death by an unknown assailant in the early morning hours of Nov. 13 while sleeping in their home on King Road near the university’s campus. Police have not identified any suspects in the case a week since the murders occurred.

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“You can’t even explain it if you try to,” said the women’s friend. “The only thing that makes sense about any of this is that if they were going to go, they were going to go together.” 

In longtime friend and fellow 21-year-old student Kaylee Goncalves, Mogen — an only child from Coeur d’Alene — found a sister.
(Friend of Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen)

The two best friends spent lots of time together — especially at Goncalves’ home with her family. They were known not only for their beauty but for their sense of humor; their “ironic” love for country music — including “old” Taylor Swift songs; their ability to make everyone feel included in their plans; and their appreciation for scenery and sunsets. 

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“When I think of them, I just think of girls’ girls,” the friend said, adding later: “I remember so many times when I was in a car with them and we’d drive up a…