Naman Shrestha
The horrific and sudden demise of Ethan Chapin, along with his three friends — Madison “Maddie” Mogan, Kaylee Goncalves, and Xana Kernodle — shook the quaint town of Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022. The loved ones of the deceased University of Idaho students were the most affected, including the family of Ethan, which consisted of his parents, Jim and Stacy Chapin, and his twin brother and sister, Hunter and Maizie. All three feature in the four-part docuseries, Amazon Prime’s ‘One Night in Idaho: The College Murders,’ recounting the tragedy and how it impacted them.
Ethan Chapin’s Family Found Comfort in Each Other After the Tragedy
On October 28, 2002, Jim and Stacy Chapin gave birth to triplets, Ethan, Hunter, and Maizie Chapin. After welcoming three bundles of joy into the world, Stacy became a stay-at-home mother and focused all her energy on raising the children. The parents assigned a signature color to each of them — blue for Ethan, green for Hunter, and pink for Maizie. The Chapin family had everything going for them until tragedy struck on November 13, 2022, in the form of Ethan’s murder, alongside his three friends from the University of Idaho. The loss devastated the entire family, but they worked on trying to piece back their lives while demanding justice for him and other victims.
A couple of months after Ethan’s loss, in January 2023, Hunter and Maizie returned to the University of Idaho, where they had been studying along with their late brother. The two were also reportedly visited by Jim and Stacy every other weekend, just to remain in constant touch and provide a shoulder for one another. Stacy elaborated about it in an interview with Today, stating, “It felt like the right decision. We spent two months together. They needed to go back to school and continue on. We all literally have to put our best foot forward.” After performing well in the semester, Hunter and Maizie joined their parents for a vacation. Stacy added, “I’m so proud of them for what they’ve endured and how they’ve succeeded. We just sat on the beach in the sunshine and watched the sunset every night. It was good. It was the start of our new family.”
Jim and Stacy Chapin Are Surrounded by the Love of Their Kids and Friends Today
Hailing from Mount Vernon, Washington, Stacy Wells Chapin attended Mount Vernon High School, after which she studied Administration at Gonzaga University. For her Master’s degree, she went to Western Washington University before attending the University of Puget Sound. In her professional career, she has served as a substitute at the Conway School District and the Aberdeen School District and worked at Camp Walt Whitman. A few months after Ethan Chapin’s passing, Stacy and Jim established a foundation in his memory — Ethan’s Smile. Initially, the couple sold bulbs, tulips, and t-shirts by teaming up with Tulip Valley Farms in Mount Vernon, Washington.
Eventually, it resulted in them forming the foundation, which aims to help the local community and the University of Idaho. On June 2, 2023, Stacy published a children’s book titled ‘The Boy Who Wore Blue,’ which is about Ethan. She also joined Pi Beta Phi, which helped her develop confidence and a sense of self-identity. In the same year, she received the 2023 Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg Crest Award for contributing to survivor and victim advocacy.
When asked about how the family was doing a year after the tragedy, she told KHQ, “I think overall we’re doing very well. I mean, all things considered right. Going into a year feels a little bit more emotional, I would say. You know, because the news things are starting and the vigil information for the University of Idaho was just released. It’s like, my god, we’ve been a whole year without our kids. It’s a tough pill to swallow. But we can’t change the outcome. We’ve said it all along. And so we’ve really tried to focus on Mazie and Hunter and the things that we’ve created in Ethan’s memory and that we’re really proud of.” Residing in Priest Lake, Idaho, Stacy and Jim are also dog parents to Lolli, who turned 14 in December 2024.
With a zest for traveling and exploring new places, the couple continues to take trips every now and then. In March 2025, they visited the Zion National Park in Utah, where they “hiked three different trails: Riverside Walk to the Narrows, West Rim to Angels Landing, and Sand Bench Trail.” They spend their free time, mostly weekends, with their friends, indulging in all kinds of outdoor activities, such as golfing, volleyball, boating, swimming, and more. In June, the couple attended a wedding in Boise, Idaho, and had an amazing time. Stacy and Jim continue to change lives for the better through the foundation, Ethan’s Smile, and provide their unwavering services to the community, keeping Ethan’s memories alive in their hearts.
Hunter Chapin is Determined to Make a Bright Future in Ethan’s Honor
Hunter and Ethan Chapin shared a tight bond and were basically like two peas in a pod. Losing a brother to such a tragic fate naturally left him devastated. However, he knew he had to do his best to move forward, as it was what his dear brother and “best friend” would’ve wanted him to do. In October 2023, Hunter was chosen as the first person to receive a $5,000 memorial scholarship under the University of Idaho’s Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholarship by Sigma Chi Foundation. In a statement, he expressed his gratitude to the fraternity members, who believed in him enough to grant him a chance to honor his brother’s legacy. He said, “We are very fortunate to be able to keep Ethan’s legacy through this scholarship for the rest of the Gamma Eta chapter’s days.”
While Hunter missed Ethan’s presence every time he walked the halls of the University, he was determined to make the latter proud. He concentrated all his efforts on his studies and graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship in May 2025. While he worked hard to achieve this feat, it wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of his family and his loving friends.
Though he still carries the weight of his grief, Hunter draws comfort from the unconditional love of his loved ones. Together, they celebrate Ethan’s beautiful life every chance they get. On the professional front, Ethan served as a Restaurant expeditor at Hill’s Resort for over three years until July 2023. He has also garnered experience working as a Belt Technician at Pacific Belting. In December 2024, Hunter marked the completion of his EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) course at The Moscow Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) in Moscow, Idaho, making his close ones beam with pride.
Maizie Chapin is Moving On While Holding Ethan’s Memories Deep in Her Heart
Maizie Chapin will always cherish the memory of the dance she attended back in November 2022, hosted by her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, at the University of Idaho. After all, her beloved brother Ethan had been her handsome date to the event, at which Hunter was also present. Furthermore, it was the last night she saw Ethan alive. The triplets had a wonderful time and made some core memories before their lives turned upside down. Sharing a beautiful picture of herself with her brothers, she announced the passing of Ethan with a heartwrenching caption that read: “the most loved people. E love you so much don’t know what we’re gonna do without you.”
Since Ethan’s demise, Maizie has tried finding solace in the warm embrace of her family and the steady support of her friends. In 2023, in an endearing gesture by the Sigma Chi Fraternity chapter at the University of Idaho, Maizie was honored as the “Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.” Despite the void left by the unspeakable tragedy, she spent her time at the educational institution with grace and immense strength. She ultimately graduated in May 2025 and embarked on another chapter of her life, grateful for all the loved ones who cheered her on.
Throughout her time at the university, Maizie developed strong friendships with her sorority sisters, a bond that has lasted even after their departure from the campus. While they are likely leading lives that have put them on separate paths, Maizie and the other Theta sisters assembled as bridesmaids to celebrate the union of Sadie with the love of her life in June 2025. As of today, she is likely working towards building a brighter future for herself. On days when Maizie gets overwhelmed with grief, she fondly reminisces about all the precious moments and significant milestones she experienced with Ethan. While he is not with her in person anymore, she continues to keep his spirit alive in her heart.
Read More: Bethany Funke: Where is Maddie Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves’ Roommate Now?
