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CRIME NEWS     CRIME ANALYSIS     TRUE CRIME STORIES
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CRIME NEWS     CRIME ANALYSIS     TRUE CRIME STORIES
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 July 11, 2025

Sister of Idaho victim shares haunting last text in Prime Video docuseries

A heartbreaking revelation emerged from one of Bryan Kohberger's victims, as his sister shared the devastating final text message she received from her murdered brother just hours before his death.

According to Daily Mail, Maizie Chapin revealed in a new Prime Video documentary that her brother Ethan had sent multiple texts begging her to join him at a University of Idaho campus party, with his last message simply saying "I love you" - something unusual for their relationship.

The emotional disclosure came as part of Prime Video's upcoming four-part docuseries "One Night in Idaho: The College Murders," where Ethan's triplet siblings Maizie and Hunter Chapin broke their silence about their final moments with their brother and the devastating aftermath of learning about his murder.

Siblings Share Final Hours Before Tragedy

Maizie and Hunter opened up about their extraordinarily close bond as triplets, revealing they had chosen to attend the University of Idaho together and maintained the same friend circle on campus. Before the murders, Ethan had accompanied Maizie to her sorority's fall formal on November 12, 2022.

After the formal ended around 9 PM, Ethan proceeded to a party at his Sigma Chi fraternity house while Maizie decided to call it a night. Throughout the evening, Ethan sent multiple text messages urging his sister to join him and their friends at the gathering.

The messages grew increasingly urgent, with texts reading "Plz come hang out," "We all want you here," and "U good dog?" before ending with the uncharacteristically emotional "Love you" - words Maizie said they rarely exchanged. By then, she had fallen asleep and wouldn't see the messages until it was too late.

Devastating Discovery Rocks Family

Hunter Chapin recounted the horrific moment he learned of his brother's death around midday on November 13, when a fraternity brother woke him with news about police presence at the King Road house. Initially dismissing it as a routine noise complaint, Hunter's world shattered upon arriving at the scene.

The devastating news was difficult for friends to deliver, with Hunter remembering their struggled attempts to tell him "Ethan's not here anymore." When the reality finally hit that his brother had been murdered alongside girlfriend Xana Kernodle, Hunter had to make the heartbreaking calls to inform family members.

Their mother Stacy Chapin was grocery shopping when she received Hunter's call, remembering how he couldn't directly say Ethan was dead but instead repeated phrases like "Ethan's not here" and "They're not on this earth anymore." The parents immediately rushed to Moscow upon hearing the news.

Justice Through Plea Agreement

Bryan Kohberger, the 30-year-old criminology PhD student charged with the murders, finally pleaded guilty last week as part of a deal to avoid the death penalty. The agreement will result in life imprisonment without possibility of parole or appeal.

The plea deal has divided victims' families, with the Chapins and Mogens supporting it while the Goncalves and Kernodle families opposed. The Chapins attended their first court hearing on July 2 to show support for the agreement.

The families will have the opportunity to deliver impact statements at Kohberger's sentencing on July 23, bringing some closure to this tragic chapter that began with an unanswered late-night text between siblings. While questions about Kohberger's motive remain, the guilty plea ensures he will never walk free again.

Why This Story Matters

This case is not just about a horrific crime—it is a reminder of vulnerability, even in close-knit, seemingly safe communities. It highlights the importance of empathetic storytelling, especially from the families who have lived through the unimaginable. Bringing forward these voices allows a deeper understanding of both grief and the need for justice.

Conclusion

The Prime Video docuseries provides a sobering view into the November 13, 2022, massacre at 1122 King Road, where Bryan Kohberger took the lives of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen.

The timeline began with Ethan attending a formal and ended with Maizie reading a final text from her brother the following morning—words she never got to respond to. Now, with Kohberger’s guilty plea secured and the motive still unclear, the victims’ families continue their search for healing amidst the pain.

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Written By: Rampart Stonebridge

I'm Rampart Stonebridge, a curious and passionate writer who can't get enough of true crime. As a criminal investigative journalist, I put on my detective hat, delving deep into each case to reveal the hidden truths. My mission? To share engaging stories and shed light on the complexities of our mysterious world, all while satisfying your curiosity about the intriguing realm of true crime.

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