In a shocking and emotional moment at CrimeCon 2023 in Orlando, Stacy Chapin, the mother of University of Idaho murder victim Ethan Chapin, took the stage during a Q&A session to speak about her son and the three other slain students. The crowd of around 3,200 true crime enthusiasts was left stunned as Chapin introduced herself as Ethan's mom, receiving a loud gasp followed by applause.

Chapin did not sit through the forensics expert's lecture on the University of Idaho student murders, titled "The Idaho Murders: An Expert Forensic Analysis" by Joseph Scott Morgan, as it was too difficult for her to watch. However, she expressed her gratitude to Morgan for his respectful and insightful remarks about the November 2022 killings. Tearfully, Chapin described her son as an incredible human and emphasized that the four slain students were amazing individuals who should not be forgotten.

Morgan, the host of the “Body Bags” podcast and an applied forensics professor at Jacksonville State University, was deeply moved by Chapin's unplanned speech. He realized that she deserved a platform to share her thoughts, and he chose to remain silent as she spoke. The powerful moment left a profound impact on both Chapin and Morgan, showcasing the significance of allowing those affected by true crime cases to have a voice.

Chapin, who admitted that she was not a true crime follower before her son's tragic murder, found herself thrust into the true crime community and felt compelled to speak out at CrimeCon 2023. She wanted to drive home the seriousness of Morgan's presentation and ensure that the audience truly understood the reality of the story and the loss she had suffered.

CrimeCon founder Kevin Balfe expressed his pride in creating a forum where important conversations like Chapin's speech could take place. Balfe emphasized that the convention allows consumers of media to directly engage with those impacted by the cases they follow, fostering understanding and compassion.

The murders that claimed the lives of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen took place on November 13, 2022, at an off-campus home near the University of Idaho. Bryan Kohberger, a graduate student studying criminology at Washington State University, was charged with four counts of murder in connection with the deaths. He was later arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania, and his trial, originally scheduled for October, has been postponed until at least 2024.

Chapin has set up the Ethan's Smile Foundation, which offers student scholarships in honor of her son. She has also organized a fundraising gala for November 13, exactly one year after the attack, to continue supporting students in fulfilling their dreams. Ethan, who was studying recreation, sport, and tourism management, would have turned 21 next month. His parents plan to visit his siblings in Moscow to celebrate their first legal drinks together.

The unexpected and heartfelt speech delivered by Stacy Chapin at CrimeCon 2023 left a lasting impact on the audience and highlighted the importance of giving a voice to those affected by true crime cases. The convention continues to provide a platform for meaningful conversations and empathy within the true crime community.