MOSCOW, IDAHO: The family of one of the four victims of the Idaho massacre has shared sweet news after being given the chance to watch Country music star Morgan Wallen perform. Ethan Chapin’s parents and siblings were reportedly presented with tickets to Wallen’s concert after the singer found out that the late student was his fan.
The 20-year-old lost his life late last year after being allegedly killed by Bryan Kohberger, who also murdered Ethan’s 20-year-old girlfriend Xana Kernodle, and her two housemates Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21. The 28-year-old accused is currently in a prison cell at the Latah County Jail as a trial against him will reportedly begin in October.
‘We were all over the moon’
Ethan’s mother Stacy Chapin took to her Instagram account to share the experience after meeting Wallen. She wrote, “On Mother's Day 2022, Ethan sent me the best text about how @morganwallen had written a song for his mom @lesliwallen and how that could be our song. It was a very touching moment between us.”
She continued, “I've told this story a lot, and to our surprise, a very kind person made an introduction. Last night, we met Morgan Wallen! He kindly gifted our family and friends tickets to his show in San Diego. Morgan's mom, Lesli, even flew in!” before noting, “It was an incredibly bittersweet full-circle moment. Truthfully, the show would have been enough. We were all over the moon, and then Morgan handed us a donation check to the @ethanssmilefoundation.”
“It was one of the kindest gestures in my life. I still cannot believe it happened, and it isn't easy to recognize it all came at a massive cost to our family. Morgan, thank you for everything ? @morganwallenfoundation,” Stacy concluded.
‘This made me cry’
The social media post attracted a lot of kind words from people online as a user commented, “Wow, no words. Just continually amazed at the acts of kindness Ethan continues to inspire. I can picture him standing there with all of you. A big shit-eating grin on his face. Love you Chapins.” Morgan's mom, Lesli, also stated, “Y’all are so precious. It was an honor to get to meet you. Thank you for the book!”
Another user wrote, “This is amazing. I know it comes at the worst possible cost. It’s just proof there’s still good in the world and Ethan gave you a wink from heaven. Holding your family in my prayers. I have a daughter in college and can’t imagine your grief. You’re good people ❤️.” The third one added, “Oh my gosh…this made me cry. What a beautiful gesture Morgan made to/for your family. Ethan is smiling in heaven!”
‘We lost our innocence and our sense of safety’
This comes as the University of Idaho has been facing a dilemma over whether to take down the house, where the lives of the four students were taken away. In a statement, the university reportedly said, “Since that fateful night in November, the house on King Road where four of our fellow Vandals were senselessly killed has stood as a stark reminder of what was lost.”
It went on to say, “We lost our innocence and our sense of safety. We realized that evil can visit our town and we lost four bright souls from our Vandal family. In response to this tragedy, we have tried to do what is right, knowing full well there are no actions or decisions that will be met with full support. This is why the decision about what to do with the Kind Roadhouse is so difficult. On the one hand, some people want it taken down. It is a constant reminder of the heinous acts that went on inside it.”
“On the other hand, it elicits deep emotional responses from those who are working through grief and who fear that its destruction could impact the court case. We hear all these arguments, take them seriously, and weigh them against the greater good of our university,” it added.
