Victims of Bryan Kohberger: personal stories of Ethan Chapin, Maddie Mogen, and how their families faced the sentencing

Who was Ethan Chapin, what he studied and future plans

Ethan Chapin, a student from Mount Vernon, Washington, was twenty years old, when he died. Ethan had a strong relationship with his two other siblings who also studied at the University of Idaho.

Ethan, a member of the fraternity, Sigma Chi, was a freshman who majored in sport, recreation, and tourism management. Ethan’s friends and relatives said that he could light up any room with his contagious smile, positive outlook, and love for sports. Ethan planned to pursue a job that would combine his love of working with people and sports.


How Ethan’s parents reacted to Kohberger’s sentencing

Ethan’s parents, Jim and Stacy Chapin, chose not to attend the sentencing hearing. They explained that they had found what they called “big‑time closure” when Kohberger accepted a plea deal and formally confessed, standing to spare their surviving triplet children from testifying and enduring more trauma.

In an interview, the Chapins expressed relief that Kohberger would never again pose a threat. Stacy noted there was “zero remorse” from Kohberger during proceedings, which helped them feel done with the chapter.

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They emphasized a desire to move forward: “I mean, it’s been almost 2½ years, and… it’s over,” Jim said, adding that the plea deal allowed them and their remaining children to begin healing.

Who was Madison (Maddie) Mogen? her dreams, aspirations and education

Maddie Mogen was a 21-year-old senior majoring in marketing at the University of Idaho. She loved music, photography, and travelling, and she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Maddie was characterised as happy, creative, and ambitious, and she was well-known for her devotion to friends and her empathy. In order to begin her career and life with her long-time boyfriend, she intended to graduate and relocate to Boise.

Mogen family reacts to Kohberger’s sentencing

The Mogen family, Maddie’s dad Benjamin Mogen, stepdad Scott Laramie, and grandmother Kim Cheeley, chose to attend the sentencing and deliver heartfelt victim impact statements in court.

Benjamin (Ben) Mogen – Dad

Emotionally choked up as he spoke, Ben reflected on being Maddie’s only child, expressing deep regret and love. He read aloud her last Father’s Day card:

“I hope you have the best day… I love you lots and lots.” He spoke of losing his greatest pride and what would have been a future together.

Kim Cheeley – Grandmother

Kim described how the foundation of their family's world collapsed with Maddie's death. She shared how Maddie fondly called her “Deedle” in childhood. Kim has struggled with anxiety and depression since the tragedy and has sought grief classes and EMDR therapy to cope.

In her statement, she encouraged the court to carry out random acts of kindness on Maddie's birthday, calling it "Maddie May Day" in her honor, highlighting her granddaughter’s kind spirit.

Scott Laramie – Stepfather

Also read: Why did Bryan Kohberger kill four Idaho students? Victims' families lash out, demand answers as he gets se

Scott read a unified statement with Karen Laramie (Maddie’s mother):

“We will not waste the words… evil does not deserve our time and attention. We are done being victims. We are taking back our lives.” He and his wife chose not to address Kohberger directly and refused to ask for mercy, condemning his actions as too heinous to forgive.