Two survivors from the horrific Idaho mass murder case have spoken out for the first time as police continue to search for a suspect.
Four University of Idaho students were murdered in an off-campus house last month, leaving a gruesome crime scene that police are describing as the 'worst they've ever seen'.
Students Dylan Mortensen, 19 and Bethany Funke, 19, were sleeping on the first floor of the house when their four fellow students, who were on the second and third floors, were stabbed to death.
As part of an appeal for information, while police continue to hunt down the unknown attacker, survivors Dylan and Bethany have paid tribute to their friends Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.
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For the memorial, held on Friday 2 December, Bethany and Dylan had written letters, read out by a youth pastor.
"I wish every day that I could give them all one last hug and say how much I love them", Bethany wrote in her letter.
"You always told me that everything happens for a reason, but I'm having a really hard time trying to understand the reason for this."
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She then paid tribute to each of her friends individually, first remembering Kaylee for her sense of humour and her determination to succeed.
Speaking of Ethan Chapin, who did not live with the girls, but had become a close friend through his girlfriend Xana, Bethany wrote: "The way you loved her was truly admirable and so special. It made people believe in true love."
she went on to describe Xana as 'the life of the party', noting that there 'really wasn't one person that didn't love you and your amazing personality'.
Finally, she remembered Madison Mogen as 'organised, determined and had your priorities straight, and you always gave me the best advice.'
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Meanwhile, in her own tribute, Dylan Mortensen remembered her housemates Kaylee and Madison as 'an inseprable duo', who 'both had this fun, passionate, crazy, but good energy.'
She continued: "They taught me a lot about how to be a responsible adult and also how to live life happy."
Dylan went on to describe couple Xana and Ethan as 'the two best friends but perfect pair together.'
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She wrote: “They had this unstoppable, loving relationship. They’d both look at each other with so much love. Everyone knew they were the perfect duo."
Latah County Coroner, Cathy Mabbutt has said that the chilling murders appeared to be ‘personal’ and that some of the wounds found on the bodies appeared to show they had attempted to defend themselves during the attack.
Police officers have not ruled anyone out of the investigation, though they have not yet declared that they have a clear suspect in the case.
On November 18, Moscow police said they ‘do not believe’ the surviving roommates or a man who was seen in surveillance video from the food truck were involved in the murders.
Ali Condon