This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.
MOSCOW, IDAHO: The lead investigator in the is reportedly 32-year-old US Army veteran Brett Payne, who joined the from the army in 2020, just two years ago. More than a month has passed after four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death in their beds. Police have yet to identify a suspect (s) in the brutal murders.
In the early morning hours of November 13, , 21, Madison Mogen, 21, , 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were stabbed to death in an off-campus three-story rented home. Law enforcement is yet to identify the suspect(s) in the case. Authorities have said that the gory scene where the students were killed was the “worst they’ve ever seen."
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This week, the FBI reportedly added 30 extra agents to the case. The lawyer for has now told her parents that Payne had been on the force for just two years. "We are supportive of the investigation and everybody working on it, but we also have to hold people accountable for the decisions that they're making," attorney Shanon Gray told .
"When went into the meeting on Monday, Brett Payne is the individual who identified himself as the lead investigator on the Moscow police department, who is on the case," Gray added. "My understanding is he was hired in 2020 as a rookie. He has a total of two years experience. I sent an email over to the Moscow Police Department, asking them to send some credentials over, for some experience or some education that Officer Payne might have that would give us some confidence, and their response was "it's personal records and we're not privy to that."
Who is Brett Payne?
Brett Payne reportedly served in the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan before joining the Moscow Police Department, the reported. The officer joined the Moscow Police Force in 2020, and it was his first policing job. He was awarded 'Rookie of the Year'.
The department praised Payne in its annual report from that year. "Officer Brett Payne was awarded the C.H.A.M.P.S. Rookie of the Year Award," it said. "Officer Payne brings a great deal of experience to the Moscow Police Department because of his military service. Officer Payne was the first officer in P.O.S.T. history to be awarded three P.O.S.T. awards at the Academy."
"His approach to community policing is exemplary. He has a desire to serve and protect the community. In addition, he regularly takes time away from his own tasks to help his coworkers, especially new officers. Whether it is citizens or other officers, Officer Payne is always willing put his needs aside to assist others. He exemplifies the core values of our department and is an excellent example to other officers," it added.
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