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The parents of slain University of Idaho student Ethan Chapin say they’ve found “big-time closure” in their son’s death — despite his killer, Bryan Kohberger, being offered a controversial plea deal.

“I really don’t care what happens to the guy .. He’s off the streets. He can’t hurt any more kids,”  Jim Chapin said alongside his wife, Stacy Chapin, in an interview Monday morning on “TODAY.”

The couple said the plea agreement sparing Kohberger of the death penalty will save their surviving children, Maisie and Hunter, born alongside Ethan as triplets, from potentially having to testify at trial and relay their brother’s traumatizing death.


  Parents of slain Idaho student Ethan Chapin say they’ve found ‘big-time closure’ With defendant Bryan Kohberger agreeing to spend life behind bars. NBC/Today Parents of slain Idaho student Ethan Chapin say they’ve found ‘big-time closure’ With defendant Bryan Kohberger agreeing to spend life behind bars. NBC/Today

The moment Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders of Chapin, his girlfriend Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, the family finally found their “big-time closure,” the parents said.

“I mean, it was just like you expected some, I don’t know, remorse, emotion, something. And there was zero,” Stacey Chapin said of Kohberger’s demeanor when she first saw him in person.

“If I could physically do a handstand, I’d probably do one, because I am so ready,” Jim Chapin said. “I’m ready for my kids to move on. I’m ready for us to move on. I mean, it’s been almost 2½ years, and it’s, just, it’s over.”


  Bryan Kohberger, charged in the murders of four University of Idaho students, appears at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. AP Bryan Kohberger, charged in the murders of four University of Idaho students, appears at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. AP

However, other families of the slain college students were angered by the plea deal, arguing it prevented them from getting proper justice for the gruesome slaying in Moscow on Nov. 13, 2022.

Goncalves’ parents shared harrowing new details about the undergrad’s final moments on their family Facebook account, as they railed against the deal.

“”[I]f your 21yr old daughter was sleeping in her bed and BK [Bryan Kohberger] went into her house with the intention to kill her and he did, by stabbing her MANY times, as well as beating her in the face and head while it was clear that she fought for her life … what would you want?” the post said.


  Xana Kernodle and Ethan were also stabbed to death. Xena Kernodle/Instagram Xana Kernodle and Ethan were also stabbed to death. Xena Kernodle/Instagram

“It gets so old having people say we want vengeance and make it sound like we are animals for having those feelings … I just find it so hard that so many people are judging us and they have never stepped foot in our shoes,” the family wrote.

A slew of loose ends remain after Kohberger’s guilty plea on July 2nd.

Prosecutors gave a step-by-step timeline of the 30-year-old killer’s actions before, during, and after the murders, but they failed to explain Kohberger’s possible motive.


  In this photo provided by Stacy Chapin, triplets Maizie, left, Ethan, second from left, and Hunter, right, pose with their parents, Stacy and Jim Chapin, at Priest Lake in northern Idaho in July 2022. AP In this photo provided by Stacy Chapin, triplets Maizie, left, Ethan, second from left, and Hunter, right, pose with their parents, Stacy and Jim Chapin, at Priest Lake in northern Idaho in July 2022. AP

Still, the mother of Chapin’s girlfriend, Kernodle, similarly found peace in the plea deal despite the lack of answers.

“At first I was upset. I felt like I will never get answers now, but now I really see The Lord’s hand in it,” Cara Northington told Fox News Digital. “I now can see that God is protecting us from further torment and trauma.

The Chapin family does not plan to attend Kohberger’s July 23rd sentencing.

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