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Who Killed Chase in Where the Crawdads Sing?


Harris Dickinson as Chase Andrews in Where the Crawdads Sing
Credit: Netflix

Netflix has released Where the Crawdads Sing on its platform and has gained a number of viewers in just a short span of time. The movie is based on the 2018 bestseller novel of the same title written by Delia Owens. It follows the story of Kya (played by Daisy Edgar-Jones) who is placed on trial for the murder of a man named Chase Andrews (played by Harris Dickinson).

Although this may seem like a regular murder case, it's actually quite an interesting story since Kya has chosen to live away from society and in the marshland of North Carolina. This is why the locals refer to her as the Marsh Girl.

Who Is Kya in Where the Crawdads Sing?

Jojo Regina as young Kya in Where the Crawdads Sing
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Credit: Netflix

One of the reasons behind the success of the book and the movie is the way its story is told. The film switches to and from Kya's past and present. She grows up in the 1950s as Catherine Danielle Clark. When she was just six years old, her mother left their household. Kya is left with her alcoholic and abusive father, who is a World War II veteran. Since she grew up in the North Carolina marshes, she is taught basic survival skills and how to fish.

When Kya turns 10, her father leaves her too. In order to survive, she catches fish and sells these for her basic needs. She is forced to attend school but was bullied and called as the 'Marsh Girl,' forcing her to return to the marsh.

Who Were Kya’s Love Interests in Where the Crawdads Sing?

Taylor John Smith as Tate Walker, Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kya in Where the Crawdads Sing
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Credit: Netflix

As she grows older, Kya befriends Tate Walker (played by Taylor John Smith), who would later teach her how to read and write. The two develop a romantic connection, but was short-lived when Tate went away for college.

A couple of years after, Kya meets the town's golden boy and quarterback, Chase Andrews. And while the two develop romantic feelings for one another, Chase doesn't respect Kya and her way of life. So when Chase turns up dead, Kya is the first to be pinned down for murder.

Why Was Kya a Suspect in Chase’s Murder?

Harris Dickinson as Chase Andrews in Where the Crawdads Sing
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Credit: Netflix

Chase's mother named Kya as a suspect in her son's murder after revealing that Chase's necklace was nowhere to be found near his corpse. The shell necklace was given by Kya to Chase while they were together. And just before he showed up dead, Chase's mother saw him wearing the necklace.

A lawyer helped Kya prove her innocence, who argued that she was out of the marshes at the time of the murder. Kya was meeting book publishers far from the murder scene. Eventually, the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. Chase's death was ruled as an accident and Kya married her first love, Tate.

Who Killed Chase in Where the Crawdads Sing?

Harris Dickinson as Chase Andrews kissing Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kya in Where the Crawdads Sing
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Credit: Netflix

This is where things get interesting in both the book and film.

After the case, Tate and Kya live a full life in the marsh where she eventually dies to a heart attack. When Tate clears away her things, he discovers a secret notebook full of poetry and illustrations depicting Chase's death. The notebook also details the whereabouts of Chase's shell necklace, which Kya hid from everyone.

As it turns out, Kya murdered Chase all along.

Why Did Kya Kill Chase?

Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kya in Where the Crawdads Sing
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Credit: Netflix

Chase attempted to rape Kya. After this, Kya realized that she wouldn't be safe from him. This is why she planned how she would kill Chase carefully. Kya made Chase's fall look like an accident since she was out of town and had an alibi.

The movie did not explicitly detail how Kya planned that night but she was able to complete her mission without any hiccups.

Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kya in Where the Crawdads Sing
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Credit: Netflix

Even though she was facing a murder charge, Kya continued to maintain her innocence. And when her lawyer was able to help her, she kept that secret to herself and to the grave.

But when she died, Tate discovered the truth and even found where she was hiding the shell necklace all along. And in a move to show his loyalty to Kya, Tate destroyed the necklace.


You can watch Where the Crawdads Sing on Netflix now.



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