White Hyundai Elantra spotted in Oregon not connected to Idaho murders

A white Hyundai Elantra spotted in Oregon isn’t connected to the murders of four Idaho college students, authorities said Tuesday evening.

The update from the Moscow Police Department came after investigators were probing the car because it matched the description of a vehicle that was near the off campus house where University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were slaughtered in a knife attack on Nov. 13, according to police.

Moscow police have requested the public’s help in locating that white Hyundai Elantra 2011-2013 model, saying they want to interview the occupant or occupants of the vehicle because they might have critical information to provide.

Police in Eugene, Oregon contacted Idaho authorities to alert them to an abandoned car found on the side of the road and badly damaged.

Investigators spoke with the female owner and reported the vehicle was in a collision and then impounded, Moscow police said. The vehicle is registered out of Colorado and the owner “is not believed to have any relation to any property in Moscow, Idaho or the ongoing murder investigations,” police said.

Authorities also requested the public stop contacting the owner.

Eugene is about 450 miles away from Moscow where the gruesome murders have left the college town shaken and still searching for answers into the mysterious case.

The local police department has faced growing pressure to crack the case as they’ve yet to point to a suspect or suspects responsible for the shocking slayings.

Moscow Police Chief James Fry defended his police force’s actions in a video message Tuesday.

“I know there’s been some questions about the leadership in this investigation. What I want people to know is this is a Moscow Police Department investigation,” Fry said, noting his command staff had 94 years of law enforcement experience combined. “We’re gonna continue to work this case, we’re gonna continue to work it to the completion.”

The FBI and state police are assisting in the probe, though there have been questions about whether Moscow police should turn over the case.

A representative for the Goncalves family told Fox News Digital Monday that if Moscow police “are in over their heads, then acknowledge that and turn the investigation over to someone who is more versed in handling these matters.” Lawyer Shanon Gray did note though the the Goncalves family is hopeful Moscow police are conducting a proper investigation.

A former FBI agent told The Post last week he believed Moscow police should give up control of the probe with the FBI possibly a better agency to be in charge.

There have been more than 7,650 emailed tips, 4,313 phone tips and 4,583 digital media submissions with more than 250 interviews conducted so far connected to the investigation, police said.

“Be assured that this investigation is the Moscow Police Department’s and I am the chief and we’re going to follow through with this,” Fry said.