Ethan Chapin: Tulip farm honors murdered University of Idaho student with special flower mix
MOUNT VERNON, WASHINGTON: The parents of Ethan Chapin, one of the four University of Idaho students who were murdered late last year, have shared their heartbreak and memories of their son in their first interviews nearly five months after his tragic death. Stacy and Jim Chapin recounted how their son, who was known for his infectious smile, was murdered alongside his girlfriend and two of her housemates on November 13, 2022.
“It’s tough — it’s tough not having him here,” Jim Chapin told on ABC News, fighting back tears. “I’d give anything to just be able to hug him one more time.” Despite the pain of their loss, the Chapins are finding comfort in a special tribute created in honor of their son.
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'Ethan’s Smile'
Ethan had worked at a tulip farm in Mt Vernon, Washington, and his friends there were inspired to create a special mix of yellow-and-white tulip bulbs called “Ethan’s Smile” to raise money for a foundation set up by his parents. More than 80,000 “Ethan’s Smile” bulb sets have already been sold, with proceeds going to the foundation, which provides scholarships for students to attend the University of Idaho, where Ethan was studying.
'I will remember Ethan standing in the tulip fields with a big smile'
“We have created something that is good that Ethan would love,” Stacy Chapin told the outlet. The tribute is a fitting one, as "tulips are iconic for Skagit Valley and a smile is iconic for Ethan", said Tulip Valley CEO Andrew Miller. “I will remember Ethan standing in the tulip fields with a big smile surrounded by people that know and love him,” he said.
Ethan’s smile was 'one of a kind'
Ethan’s smile was "one of a kind", according to Jim. “He had the best smile — you couldn’t see it and not instantly smile back,” said Reese Gardner, one of Ethan’s coworkers at the farm. Ethan’s mother, Stacy, echoed that sentiment. “It’s Ethan smiling on us,” she told the Today show.
'He was an amazing kid'
For the Chapins, the tulip tribute is a tangible reminder of their son’s spirit and the impact he had on those around him. “If we touch as many lives as he did in his 20 years, this world would be a better place. He was an amazing kid,” said Stacy Chapin.
With gag orders in place, the parents couldn't share much about the case. On November 13, Chapin was discovered suffering from many stab wounds at a home away from campus. The little college town of Moscow, Idaho was rocked when his girlfriend, Xana Kernodle, and two of her housemates, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, were also discovered dead after being stabbed.
In connection with the fatalities, authorities accused 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger of four charges of murder and one count of felony burglary in December. At the time of the killings, Kohberger was a PhD candidate in criminology at the close-by Washington State University, which is located just beyond the Idaho state line. He has stated that he expects to be cleared through a former lawyer.