When the news broke about the tragedy in Moscow, Idaho, in late 2022, the world focused on a house on King Road. But for those in the tight-knit community of Conway, Washington, the story wasn't just about a headline. It was about a family that had always moved as a unit. Specifically, it was about the Ethan Chapin siblings—a trio that had been inseparable since birth.
Ethan wasn't just a college student. He was one-third of the "Chapin Triplets." Alongside his brother, Hunter Chapin, and his sister, Maizie Chapin, Ethan lived a life that was essentially a three-person team sport. They did everything together. They went to the same schools, shared the same friend groups, and ultimately chose the same university.
Honestly, it’s hard to wrap your head around that kind of connection unless you’ve seen it firsthand. Most siblings have their own lanes. The Chapins? They were the lane.
The Reality of the Ethan Chapin Siblings
Being a triplet is a unique experience that most people will never truly understand. You're born with built-in best friends. For Hunter and Maizie, the loss of Ethan wasn't just the loss of a brother; it was like losing a limb.
Growing up in the Skagit Valley, the three were local staples. Ethan was the athlete, known for his skill on the basketball court and his infectious smile—a trait so defining it later became the namesake for the family’s foundation. Hunter and Ethan were particularly close, often seen as a duo within the trio. They both pledged the Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Idaho, living out the typical "college dream" side-by-side.
Maizie, the sister of the group, was the glue in many ways. While the boys were busy with fraternity life, she was carving her own path in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, yet the three of them remained a constant fixture in each other's daily lives on campus.
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A Weekend That Changed Everything
The weekend before the tragedy, Jim and Stacy Chapin, the triplets' parents, had visited Moscow for a parent’s weekend. They’ve spoken openly about how they left that Sunday feeling like they had "made it." Their kids were thriving. They were happy. They were together.
Then came November 13.
The logistics of that morning are heartbreaking. Hunter was actually the one who had to make the call to his parents. He was woken up by a friend and told that something was wrong at the house where Ethan had been staying with his girlfriend, Xana Kernodle. Imagine being twenty years old and having to deliver that kind of news to your mom and dad. It’s a level of trauma that most adults couldn't handle, yet Hunter and Maizie have shown a type of resilience that is, quite frankly, staggering.
Life at the University of Idaho After the Loss
One of the most frequent questions people ask about the Ethan Chapin siblings is: Did they stay at school?
The answer is yes. And that was a deliberate, agonizing choice.
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Stacy and Jim Chapin have mentioned in interviews that they left the decision up to Hunter and Maizie. After taking a couple of months off to huddle together as a family at their home near Priest Lake, the surviving triplets decided to return to Moscow.
Why? Because that’s where their life was. It’s where Ethan’s memory was the strongest.
Graduating for Three
In May 2025, a bittersweet milestone occurred. Hunter and Maizie graduated from the University of Idaho. It was the ceremony Ethan should have been a part of.
The image of the two of them walking across that stage is a powerful testament to their strength. They didn't just finish their degrees for themselves; they finished them for the trio. Throughout their remaining years at the university, they were surrounded by a community that shielded them. The Sigma Chi brothers and the Kappa Alpha Theta sisters formed a literal human wall of support around them.
Honoring a Legacy Through Action
The Chapin family hasn't just sat in their grief. They’ve turned it into something tangible. If you’re looking for "actionable insights" on how to handle unthinkable loss, the way the Chapin siblings have navigated this is a masterclass in grace.
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- The Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholarship: This was established through Sigma Chi. Remarkably, Hunter Chapin was the inaugural recipient of the scholarship. It’s a $5,000 annual award given to a member who exemplifies Ethan’s character—his kindness, his work ethic, and that famous smile.
- Ethan’s Smile Foundation: The family started this to provide scholarships to students from their home area in Washington who want to attend the University of Idaho. It keeps Ethan's connection to both his home and his school alive.
- The "Smile Spotlights": On the foundation's website, they share stories from people who knew Ethan. It’s a way for Hunter and Maizie to keep the narrative focused on who Ethan was, rather than how he died.
Small Details, Big Impact
Maizie has been particularly vocal in her own quiet way. She used funds from Ethan’s own checking account to be one of the first donors to his memorial scholarship. It’s those small, personal touches that show the depth of the bond between the Ethan Chapin siblings.
They also share a physical connection to him through tattoos. The family got tattoos in Ethan’s own handwriting—a permanent reminder of the brother who should still be here.
Navigating the Legal Aftermath
For a long time, the family stayed relatively quiet due to a gag order in the court case. But as the legal process moved forward—including the 2025 plea deal that spared the family the agony of a lengthy trial—Jim and Stacy began to speak more freely.
They supported the deal primarily for Hunter and Maizie. They didn't want their surviving children to have to sit through years of testimony and graphic details. They wanted "big-time closure" so the siblings could finally move forward without the shadow of a trial hanging over their heads.
What We Can Learn From the Chapin Family
The story of the Ethan Chapin siblings is ultimately one of choosing light over darkness. It sounds cliché, but when you look at Hunter and Maizie’s path over the last few years, it’s the only way to describe it.
If you’re moved by their story, the best way to honor it isn't by diving into true crime theories. It’s by supporting the legacy they’ve built. You can look into the Ethan's Smile Foundation or simply choose to live a bit more like Ethan did—with a genuine smile for everyone you meet.
Next Steps for Readers:
Check out the Ethan's Smile Foundation website to see the "Smile Spotlights" and understand the real person behind the headlines. If you're a student in the Skagit Valley area, look into the scholarship opportunities they provide. Most importantly, take a page from Hunter and Maizie’s book: when life gets impossibly hard, lean on your "triplets"—whoever your core people may be—and keep moving forward, one step at a time.