Idaho
Idaho Democratic party issues statements on the passing of former chair Fred Cornforth
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Friday, March 15, after the passing of former Chair Fred Cornforth, the Idaho Democratic Party released the following statements:
Statement from Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea:
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Fred Cornforth. He was a man of faith, a successful businessman, a philanthropist, and a community leader. He saw strengthening the Idaho Democratic Party and electing more Democrats as essential work to protect and bring prosperity to the people of Idaho. During his time as chair of the Idaho Democratic Party, Fred hired incredibly talented staff, broke fundraising records, and set us on the path toward significant goals the party has achieved: conducting year-round field organizing, building party infrastructure in every county, and recruiting Democratic candidates to run in every corner of Idaho. We will honor his vision and his legacy through our continued work to build a brighter future for every Idahoan.”
“On behalf of the entire Idaho Democratic Party, I offer our deepest condolences and prayers to Fred’s family and loved ones as they grieve the loss of their beloved husband, father, brother, and friend.”
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Wintrow:
“Our world is a better place for having Fred in it. He was a humble, thoughtful, kind, and generous human being who was always thinking of how to lift others up. I was inspired by his wisdom, generosity, and vulnerability. I will think of him and his tenacity whenever I feel like giving up.”
Statement from House Democratic Leader Ilana Rubel:
“I am heartbroken at the loss of my dear friend Fred. I am a better person for having known him, and Idaho is a better state because he gave so much to it. Fred brought historic levels of energy and excitement to Democrats in Idaho, and when we can finally fund public education adequately and protect basic rights in this state, it will be in large part thanks to his work. My deepest condolences go to Fred’s wife Jill and his family, whom he adored above all else. We will miss this great man beyond words.”
Statement from Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Jared DeLoof:
“Fred Cornforth was the spark that brought new life to the Idaho Democratic Party. He lived every day thinking about how we could make life better for all Idahoans and had the energy to make it happen, which is rare to see. All of us at the Idaho Dems will miss him terribly and owe him a great debt of gratitude. Our thoughts are with his wife, children, and all the lives Fred touched.”
Cornforth resigned from his role with the Idaho Democratic Party on January 12, 2022, after he was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer.
Cornforth was elected to the position in March 2021, taking over the role after Van Beechler’s term was completed. Cornforth is the founder and chief executive officer of Community Development Inc., a nonprofit organization that specializes in affordable housing developments and other community centers.
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Idaho
U of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger investigated in 2nd home invasion attack
Idaho
Bryan Kohberger investigated over nearby home invasion year before alleged slayings of 4 University of Idaho students
Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger was once investigated in connection to a chilling home invasion that took place mere miles from where he allegedly slaughtered four college students inside their off-campus housing in 2022, according to a new report.
New information about the accused killer comes after ABC News obtained bodycam footage of police responding to a suspected home invasion in nearby Pullman, Wash., in October 2021 — more than a year before the University of Idaho students were stabbed to death.
“I heard my door open and I looked over, and someone was wearing a ski mask and had a knife,” a frightened woman told police.
“I kicked the s–t out of their stomach and screamed super loud, and they like flew back into my closet and then ran out my door and up the stairs.”
The alleged incident — which took place just 10 miles from the gruesome slayings in Moscow, Idaho — happened at 3:30 a.m., the woman told police, adding that the masked intruder was silent the whole time.
Her roommate immediately called the police, the outlet reported, but the case was left unsolved as police were left without a suspect or evidence at the time.
The terrifying incident shared eerie similarities with the gruesome quadruple University of Idaho murders.
Kohberger, 29, is accused of butchering students Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Madison Mogen, 21, around 4 a.m. inside their off-campus house on Nov. 13, 2022.
A surviving housemate later told police she saw a masked man with “bushy eyebrows” fleeing the house after overhearing cries and sounds of a struggle.
Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University, was arrested at his parents’ Pennsylvania home on Dec. 30 and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary — charges he has since pleaded not guilty.
Thirteen days later he was named a person of interest in the Pullman case, ABC reported, but is no longer considered a suspect.
“We have no reason or evidence to believe he was involved in this burglary at this time,” Pullman police told the outlet, citing a height difference between the alleged attackers.
While Kohberger is 6 feet tall, the alleged attacker in the Pullman incident was described as being 5’3′ to 5’5′. The accused stabber was also not yet enrolled at Washington State University at the time of the 2021 incident, the outlet reported.
The case is now closed but remains unsolved, police said.
“My family and I have been frustrated that the case was not investigated more in-depth or resolved,” the victim in the break-in told the outlet.
Kohberger’s highly anticipated trial is slated to begin in August and last through November.
The lengthy trial, which was moved to Idaho’s capital of Boise, will include two phases — one to determine his guilt or innocence, and the other, if he’s found guilty, to determine whether he should receive the death penalty.
Idaho
Bryan Kohberger probed for home invasion year before Idaho student murders
Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the Idaho quadruple murder case, was once investigated in connection with a home invasion in Pullman, Washington. This opens many doors for a flock of questions.
Who is Bryan Kohberger?
Kohberger, a 28-year-old PhD criminology student at Washington State University, was arrested weeks after the Idaho murders at his parents’ home in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He now faces four first-degree murder charges and a felony burglary charge. Prosecutors allege Kohberger meticulously planned the attack, stalking the victims’ off-campus rental home prior to the killings.
The Pullman home invasion occurred in October 2021, just 10 miles from Moscow, Idaho, where four college students were brutally stabbed to death in November 2022. Newly released body camera footage cited by ABC News provides a bodycam footage of the break-in that left a young woman traumatized and fearing for her life.
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“I heard my door open and I looked over, and someone was wearing a ski mask and had a knife,” the woman told officers in the footage, her voice trembling. “I kicked the s*** out of their stomach and screamed super loud. They flew back into my closet and then ran out my door and up the stairs.”
Kohberger named person of interest in Pullman case after Idaho murders
The alleged attack happened around 3:30 a.m. The masked intruder, who carried a knife, entered her bedroom silently. Despite her quick reaction and her roommate’s immediate call to 911, police found no trace of the suspect or any physical evidence.
Just over a year later, on November 13, 2022, the town of Moscow, Idaho, was shaken by the brutal murders of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. Survivors in the home described a masked man with “bushy eyebrows” fleeing after hearing cries and the sounds of a violent struggle.
Thirteen days after the Idaho murders, Kohberger was named a person of interest in the Pullman case. The eerie similarities between the two incidents—both involving a masked intruder, a knife, and nighttime break-ins—drew immediate attention. However, authorities later clarified that Kohberger is no longer considered a suspect in the Pullman case.
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Despite initial suspicions, critical differences between the Pullman and Moscow cases ultimately ruled out Kohberger’s involvement in the earlier incident. The victim of the Pullman break-in described the intruder as 5’3” to 5’5”, while Kohberger stands six feet tall.
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