Just over a week after Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison for brutally murdering four University of Idaho college students, the family of victim Ethan Chapin is speaking out.

The Chapin family opted not to attend the emotional sentencing hearing on July 23, choosing instead to pay tribute to Ethan — who was killed alongside Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen — in their own way.

In her comments, Stacy Chapin, Ethan’s mom, stated that the family believes that the outcome of the case, which will see Kohberger spend the rest of his life behind bars for the grisly 2022 murders, “is the right one.” 

Ethan Chapin’s family addresses Bryan Kohberger’s sentence

Stacy shared the family’s stance on the sentence in a heartbreaking statement posted Thursday, July 31, 2025 to her Instagram, while also reflecting on Ethan’s life and legacy in the wake of the tragedy.

“We’ve given a lot of thought to what we should say since 7/23 and have edited this a million times,” Stacy’s post began. “The entire situation has been a tough pill to swallow but at the end of the day, we believe the outcome is the right one.”

Stacy went on to thank the local and federal investigators, whom she stated “worked tirelessly” on the case, along with prosecutors, University of Idaho staff, Ethan’s friends, and others close to the family who “continue to lift us up everyday” as they try to move forward. 

She called those who stepped up to help the family the “true heroes in our lives.” 

Emotional tribute to Ethan Chapin by his family

Stacy’s posted ended with a tribute to Ethan, who was a triplet and brother to Maizie and Hunter.

“Finally, thank you, Ethan,” Stacy wrote. “You were only with us for 20 years, but you touched the lives of so many people. From the time you were a baby to when we dropped you off at college, you were an absolute joy and the glue that held our family together.” 

“We remember your smile, your laugh, how you kept us in check, and the many ways you brought happiness and light to any situation,” she continued. “There will never be another you. There would never have been enough time with you. We love you, miss you, and promise to continue honoring your legacy.”

Details of the University of Idaho Murders

Ethan was killed in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, while staying at an off-campus home with his girlfriend Xana Kernodle. The pair were stabbed to death — along with Mogen and Goncalves — after Kohberger snuck into the home at around 4 a.m. and attacked the unsuspecting college students. 

Although investigators were initially baffled by the brazen crime, they ultimately linked the murders to Kohberger through cell phone data and DNA evidence left on a knife sheath found at the scene.

Kohberger agreed to plead guilty in July to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in exchange for prosecutors taking the death penalty off the table.

The Chapins have publicly supported the deal, which will prevent any appeals, telling TODAY in July that they felt it was a “better deal” and would spare Ethan’s siblings Hunter and Maizie from re-living the ordeal on the stand, while also ensuring that Kohberger would never walk free.

Some family members of other victims have criticized the prosecutors’ decision not to go to trial.

Goncalves mom, Kristi Goncalves, told Kohberger at the sentencing hearing on July 23 that she was “disappointed the firing squad won’t get to take their shots at you.” Kristi also called him a “loser” and “absolute failure.”

Kohberger has yet to reveal a motive for the murders.