The four University of Idaho students who were stabbed to death near campus last weekend were more than just college students and crime victims.
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Ethan Chapin's last day was spent with his siblings, dressed up and dancing.
"He was our daughter Maizie's date, and his brother was Maizie's roommate's date," Chapin's mother, Stacy Chapin, said in an interview Wednesday. The group was attending a dance hosted by Maizie's sorority. "They all spent their last day together, all dressed up, and had a great time. We're all thankful that they spent that time together."
Ethan Chapin captured photos of the event on his phone, but the family has yet to see them. The device is being held by law enforcement as potential evidence in the homicide investigation.
"We realized yesterday morning, watching information about our son being posted that didn't come from us personally, that the greatest gift we could do for our son in this moment is be his voice," Stacy Chapin said.
"You rarely get to meet someone like Xana," her sister said via text message. "She was so positive, funny and was loved by everyone who met her."
Xana Kernodle went to high school in the scenic northern Idaho city of Post Falls. For her graduation in 2020, she decorated her mortarboard with flower and butterfly cut-outs and the words, "For The Lives That I Will Change."
Mogen and Goncalves grew up together in northern Idaho, such close friends that they were practically sisters. Goncalves chronicled some of their history in an Instagram post celebrating Mogen's 21st birthday in May.
"I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to be the main character in all my childhood stories," Goncalves wrote.
Along with photos, Mogen collected quotes on her Instagram page.
"It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but a good amount of it actually is," read one brightly colored post. For now, friends and family are trying to find refuge in the light they left behind.