'He was kind to all': Slain Idaho student Ethan Chapin remembered at memorial service in Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON, WASHINGTON: A grief-stricken family and hundreds of supporters gathered on Monday, November 21 to remember and pay tribute to Ethan Chapin in a memorial service in his hometown of Mount Vernon.
Chapin, who turned 20 last month, was one of the University of Idaho students barbarically murdered in their off-campus accommodation on Saturday, November 12. The young man had been staying with his girlfriend, Xana Kernodle when they were stabbed multiple times. Two other victims of the massacre are identified as Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen.
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The mourners solemnly arrived at the service held at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon, Washington wearing blue t-shirts that read, "Team Ethan." With tears in her eyes, Ethan’s mother, Stacy Chapin told the world about her son and remembered him as “one of the most incredible people you will ever know,"
"Today, we're here to honor the life and legacy of our son and brother, Ethan Chapin — one of the most incredible people you will ever know," Stacy Chapin told reporters outside the service, according to Fox News. "Together, we want to extend gratitude to the following: our neighbors…our extended family and friends who serve as beacons of strength … the Moscow Police Department who now not only carry the burden every day, not only for us but for all of the impacted families."
Chaplin was a triplet who grew up in Conway, Washington. His family recently moved to their place in Priest Lake, Idaho, where Ethan worked at Hill’s Resort. Ethan’s sister Maizie and brother, Hunter also attended the University of Idaho. Ethan’s close friends said he was a happy man, who loved his life and was known for his kindness and smile. “He was always bringing so much joy to everybody. He was always the goofiest kid in class,” said Brayden, Ethan’s friend from elementary school.
"Ethan loved life. He laughed continuously. He smiled when he woke up and was still smiling when he went to bed. He was kind to all and a friend to all.," an obituary for the 20-year-old student reads. "May we all try to make the earth a better place … and may we all live like Ethan."
"Since attending the University of Idaho, Ethan lived his best life. He loved the social life, and intramurals and tolerated the academics. He also continued to play sports," his obituary reads.
Tributes continue to pour in for Chapin and the three other students killed in a “targeted and isolated” attack. With the suspect still at large, the Moscow Police Department has been close-lipped about the case. The officials are yet to locate a suspect or a weapon used in the killings. “Nothing we can do will bring back these young lives, but we have an absolute commitment to solving these senseless murders,” said Kedrick Wills, director of the Idaho State Police, at a press conference. Earlier this week, the authorities revealed that the four students were sleeping when they were stabbed multiple times. The officials have also found defensive wounds on one victim’s hand.