Police clear professor as suspect in Idaho murders after viral TikTok user claims involvement
Cami Mondeaux
Video Embed
Police have cleared an Idaho University professor as a suspect in the murders of four students last month, noting they do not believe she had any involvement despite videos being posted on TikTok that theorize the history teacher was responsible for the killings.
“At this time in the investigation, detectives do not believe the female associate professor and chair of the history department at the University of Idaho suing a TikTok user for defamation is involved in this crime,” the Moscow Police Department said in a statement on Tuesday.
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO PROFESSOR SUES TIKTOK TAROT CARD READER WHO ACCUSED HER OF MURDER
The update comes after Rebecca Scofield, a history professor at the University of Idaho, filed a lawsuit last week accusing TikTok user Ashley Guillard of defamation after she posted videos claiming the professor planned and carried out the unsolved murders. Guillard’s videos have garnered millions of views on the platform and feature the TikToker claiming to solve criminal cases by using Tarot cards and other cartomancy readings.
Scofield’s lawsuit accuses Guillard of causing harm to her and her family, noting the professor had to install a security system to her home in response. The history professor also claimed the false theories threaten to undermine law enforcement’s investigations as they seek to identify a suspect and murder weapon.
“Professor Scofield has never met Guillard,” the lawsuit states. “She does not know her. She does not know why Guillard picked her to repeatedly falsely accuse [her] of ordering the tragic murders and being involved with one of the victims. Professor Scofield does know that she has been harmed by the false TikToks and false statements.”
However, Guillard rejected the lawsuit’s claims and repeated her allegations against Scofield, telling her followers she’s “not stopping.” Moscow Police have repeatedly urged the public not to rely on rumors circulating on social media, noting they should only listen to updates that come directly from law enforcement officials.
Authorities have still not named a suspect in the quadruple murders of Idaho University students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, who were killed in their off-campus home on Nov. 13. Each of the victims was stabbed to death in their beds, and investigators believe they were all asleep when they were attacked, according to police.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Police are still in search of a white 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra that is believed to have been in the “immediate area” of the home at the time of the murders that investigators say “may have critical information to share regarding the case.”
There were two other roommates living in the house at the time of the attack who were left unharmed, and police have ruled them out as suspects. Authorities are asking the public to submit any information that could be relevant to the murders by calling 208-883-7180 or emailing [email protected].