(NewsNation) —The family of Ethan Chapin, one of four Idaho college students murdered in an off-campus home by Bryan Kohberger, called Kohberger’s life sentence the right outcome and vowed to honor their late son’s legacy.
The Chapin family did not attend Kohberger’s sentencing hearing last week to make a victim impact statement but released a separate statement Thursday.
“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,” the family wrote in an Instagram post.
Ethan Chapin’s family: ‘There will never be another you’
Chapin was one of triplets, and family photos of the three siblings accompanied the post.
“You were only with us for 20 years, but you touched the lives of so many people,” they wrote, addressing Ethan.
“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,” they said. “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.”
The family also thanked law enforcement, university staff as well as family and friends for their “ongoing support.”
“All of the kids!! Close friends of the triplets, Greek family, and others who were part of this story from the very beginning. Although each of their experiences is different, all have suffered severe loss and trauma. We continue to be in awe of their strength, and will continue to support them in any way we can.”
The Chapin family had previously said they were content with the plea deal prosecutors made with Kohberger, calling it “closure” for their family.
Kohberger was given four life sentences for the 2022 murders of Chapin, along with Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle.
Bryan Kohberger victims’ families split over plea deal
The victims’ families have been divided over the plea, which took the death penalty off the table for Kohberger.
The Goncalves family has criticized prosecutors, calling the deal “a troubling pattern.”
The families of the other three victims appeared at last week’s sentencing hearing, giving heartwrenching statements about their slain loved ones.
Kaylee Goncalves’ sister called Kohberger “nothing” and told him he would be “forgotten” in a scathing impact statement.
“Your patterns are predictable, your motives are shallow. You are not profound, you’re pathetic. You aren’t special or deep, not mysterious or exceptional. Don’t ever get it twisted again,” Alivea Goncalves said.
The mother and aunt of Xana Kernodle told Kohberger that they had forgiven to set themselves free from the pain.
“Jesus has allowed me to forgive you for murdering my daughter without you even being sorry or asking for this,” Cara Northington, Xana’s mother, said in an emotional court statement.