University of Idaho fraternity brothers talk about Ethan Chapin's murder one year later
Ethan Chapin was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Idaho. His fraternity brothers share memories of Ethan one year after his murder.
This publication is Part IV of a four-part series.
One year after the killings on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, the victims are far from forgotten. KTVB's Maggie O' Mara has spoken to the victims' friends, families - and for Part IV - Ethan Chapin's fraternity brothers.
In this final segment of a four-part series, four Sigma Chi fraternity brothers banded together to share their memories of Ethan, one of the four University of Idaho students stabbed to death in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022.
Chapin and his girlfriend Xana Kernodle along with Madison Mogen and her best friend Kaylee Goncalves were brutally murdered in their off-campus rental home one year ago.
Ethan Chapin 'So universally loved'
"I have never met someone who was so universally loved," said Kyle Frei, of Grangeville, Idaho. "Everyone liked him. There was not a person that didn't like him. He was just the happiest person to be around everyone wanted to be around him."
For Chapin's fraternity brothers, the wounds are still fresh, even a year later.
"Right after it happened, it was a mad house in Moscow. There were news people everywhere, and no one knew what was going on because stuff like that doesn't really happen in a town like this," said fraternity president, Gus Elwell from Meridian. "As a house, we all banded together."
"It was hard because a lot of people went home right away after it all happened. Honestly, when I was home, that was not what I needed to be doing. I think a lot of people can agree." Elwell continued, "I felt way better when I was here with my brothers, rather than being at home. I needed to be around these guys, talking about what I was feeling, talking about Ethan."
What captivated the country, built even more camaraderie at Sigma Chi.
"This fraternity is very special to me...the brotherhood is there," Elwell said as he reflected on the grief the brothers share.
"All of us knew that no one was going to look down on them for sharing their emotions, or anything like that," said Joshua Howell, of Eagle.
Elwell explained that the ability to be vulnerable is undoubtedly what helped Ethan's fellow fraternity brothers get through the loss.
"I think that was a big factor in last year how we handled that as a fraternity, it wasn't one person handling it, we handled that as a brotherhood. Everyone is here to support each other."
RELATED: Kaylee Goncalves' parents remember her and best friend Maddie
RELATED: 'Live life like Ethan. Be kind': The Chapin family honors son Ethan
Remembering Ethan 'Emotionally, always there for people'
The past year has been painful for everyone at the university. For the Sigma Chi brothers, they are comforted by the happy memories they have of Ethan. They say they try to focus on those, and not on what happened that terrible November night.
"He's just the coolest guy you'll ever meet, that's about it right there," said Howell. "Emotionally, always there for people, just a really great guy."
"He was just a really big, happy guy! He was always so kind in anything that he did, and he was also so funny," said Conrad Harrison, from Eagle. "I lived with him for a semester and that was really something, he was such a funny guy."
"When I think of Ethan I think about walking into a room and he'd always call me Gussy Gus," said Elwell. "He was just so kind and welcoming to all, when you would walk into the room. Not just me but anybody, he would just welcome you into the room."
Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholarship 'Keep on giving'
Memories of Ethan Chapin are everywhere at the Sigma Chi house on the Moscow campus. From the photos still up on the walls to the memorial scholarship award plaque with Ethan's face engraved on it - Ethan will forever be remembered here.
In October, the first Sigma Chi Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Hunter Chapin, Ethan's triplet brother.
The ceremony took place at the Sigma Chi fraternity house in Moscow. Both Ethan and Hunter are members of the fraternity.
"It means a lot that Sigma Chi took the bull by the horns and made this scholarship a thing. The world raised $125,000 for this scholarship through donations, which is absolutely insane," Elwell continued, "I don't think there is a better way to honor Ethan. He gave his whole life that day, so let's keep on giving in the name of Ethan."
Donors from around the world raised more than $125,000 to honor the late Ethan Chapin. The total funds raised will go towards the University of Idaho chapter of Sigma Chi through an annual gift of $5,000 in perpetuity, according to Jeff Burnside, Sigma Chi Director of Development for the Northwest Region.
"I think it obviously means a lot that it's going to Hunter," said Conrad Harrison. "We're all talking about Ethan right now, but Hunter is right there with him. They are very similar people. When you think of what Hunter has been going through and the way he's come out on the other end, the person he is now, I don't think I could be that strong."
"It was kind of tough because it was a subject that he didn't want to talk about for a while," said Howell. "He still doesn't love talking about it, but just letting him know that we are there if he ever does want to talk is important to us. There have been certain points where he will talk to me, and just knowing that is open to him, if he ever does need a release, he can let his emotions out to us."
The Chapin family was there for the special scholarship event. Ethan and Hunter's mom and dad, Stacy and Jim Chapin, and his sister Maizie. Hunter received a standing ovation from his fraternity brothers that night.
RELATED: Chapin scholarship awarded at University of Idaho to brother of victim
RELATED: University of Idaho murders 1 year later: Moscow community
Ethan and Xana 'Most perfect couple you could imagine'
The fraternity brothers said Ethan was happiest when he was with Xana Kernodle, his college sweetheart and fellow University of Idaho student. Xana lived at the King Road house, she was one of the four victims killed on Nov. 13, 2022.
The brothers are not only mourning the loss of Ethan, they lost Xana as well.
"Him and Xana were just the most perfect couple you can imagine," said Frei. "I have so many memories with both of them."
"She was just able to come here and hang out with all the dudes, and it wasn't weird at all," Elwell added. "We have all said Ethan was the most universally loved person on campus, I think Xana was right up there with Ethan. Everyone loved Xana, everyone loved Ethan. Both of them were just living life, and flourishing, flourishing."
Live life like Ethan
"That's how it should be," said Elwell. "We all are wearing these blue bracelets, we got these at his memorial last year, they say 'Live Life Like Ethan' on them. I haven't taken mine off since. Every morning when I see it, I am reminded that I should live life like Ethan that day."
For these Sigma Chi brothers, life will go on, but Ethan will always be carried in their hearts.
"I think the stories of Ethan will go from generation to generation, from pledge class to pledge class. His story will be shared with everyone, and hopefully everyone can live life like Ethan."
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