A team of FBI profilers helping with the investigation into the death of Wil Hendrick has determined the Moscow man likely wasn't killed by a stranger.
In a press release today, the Moscow Police Department said the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit from Quantico, Va., featured in the movie "Silence of the Lambs," was brought in to assist the task force investigating Hendrick's death.
"These FBI agents/behavioral analysts have advised that there is a good possibility Wil was not killed by a stranger and robbery was most likely not the motive," the release said.
"It is more likely Wil knew his killer -- someone who is familiar with the Moscow-Pullman area, as well as the area where Wil's body was left. The killer did not want or expect Wil's remains to be found.
"It is the opinion of the BAU that there is a good possibility the offender would have left the area shortly after the homicide for what appeared to be legitimate reasons, but returned because of his own ties to the area and his curiosity about the investigation."
Hendrick, a 25-year-old University of Idaho theater major, disappeared Jan. 10, 1999, after leaving a party at an apartment complex at the intersection of C and Almon streets. The following day his 1984 brown four-door Pontiac was found in a parking lot at the intersection of Fourth and Jackson streets. In it were found Hendrick's keys and his portfolio containing all of his art work and costume designs.
Hendrick's case was initially investigated as a mysterious disappearance until the discovery of some of his remains in a rural area outside of Moscow in September. Since that discovery, a Wil Hendrick Homicide Investigation Task Force has been formed by the Moscow Police Department, Idaho State Police, Latah County Sheriff's Office, Lewiston Police Department and the FBI.
Additional resources and new forensic technology have been brought to the case by the task force. Investigators believe forensic technology will help solve the case.
"These techniques have helped to develop significant information about the cause, manner and time of death in other cases," the Moscow police statement said. "They have also assisted investigators in being able to forensically link killers to their victims."
Investigators are consulting with forensic anthropologists and forensic pathologists to learn more about how Hendrick was killed and who is responsible. "It is possible to glean a significant amount of forensic evidence from a murder scene, despite the age of the scene and the amount of time which has gone by," the release said.
Investigators plan a more extensive search of the area where Hendrick's remains were found to look for evidence the killer may have left behind. Additionally, a high-speed FBI supercomputer is being used. The computer is able to sort through numerous pieces of evidence and prioritize clues most likely to solve the case.
Investigators also plan to learn more about Hendrick for a profiling technique known as victimology, which seeks to glean information about the killer through learning about the victim.
"Investigators anticipate conducting numerous additional interviews with significant others in Wil's life in order to develop this victimology," the release said.
Moscow police officials would not comment further on the information in the press release.
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact Moscow detective Jim Kouril at (208) 883-4518. His e-mail is
Information can be mailed to P.O. Box 9203, Moscow, Idaho 83843, attention detective Kouril. All information provided will be confidential. Information additionally can be relayed to police through a third party.
