Life of Idaho stabbing victim remembered at Mount Vernon memorial
Ethan Chapin, 20, one of four University of Idaho students stabbed to death in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, was remembered Monday evening, Nov. 21, at Skagit Valley Community College in Mount Vernon as hundreds gathered for his memorial.
Chapin’s mother Stacy addressed the media before the memorial, calling Ethan “one of the most incredible people you’ll ever know” and thanking family, friends and the Moscow Police Department, which she said, “now carry the burden every day, not only for us but for all of the impacted families,” according to reporting by The Seattle Times.
Ethan’s image along with text reading “In Loving Memory Ethan Chapin” was shown on an electronic marquee outside of McIntyre Hall Performing Arts and Conference Center, where the memorial was held on campus.
Many of those attending the memorial wore blue shirts that read “Team Ethan #35” and blue bracelets that read “Live life like Ethan.”
Ryan Chonka, a friend of Ethan’s from middle school and high school, described Ethan as “an amazing guy who knew everyone.”
“He was always helping everyone, including me,” Chonka told The Bellingham Herald as the memorial was coming to a close. “He touched so many lives — way more than just the people in there. Probably double it.”
The other victims in the killings were University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum and Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls.
Autopsies confirmed that all four died from multiple stab wounds and that all were likely asleep when the attacks first occurred. Some victims showed defensive wounds, according to reporting by the Idaho Statesman.
The Statesman also reported that police were searching for a “Rambo-style knife.”
As of Monday evening, the police still had no suspect in the killings and had not yet found a weapon, The Statesman reported.
This story was originally published November 22, 2022 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Life of Idaho stabbing victim remembered at Mount Vernon memorial."
