Who is Ethan Ralph? Podcaster allegedly features in 2021 Chris Chan bodycam arrest video

Bodycam footage of webcomic creator Christine Weston Chandler aka Chris Chan’s arrest was released on August 18. Shortly after EWU Bodycam shared the video on YouTube, it was reposted on other social media platforms.

Soon, an X user @WomanDefiner reposted a small snippet from the 18-minute and 13-second long video, noting alt-right podcaster Ethan Ralph was supposedly heard in the clip. The user wrote:

"You can hear Ethan say "Wassup" at the start of the clip."

In the video, as handcuffed Christine was seen being taken away by the police out of a hotel in Virginia, Ethan was reportedly heard yelling:

"Chris Chan, wassup?"

The comic creator told the police the yeller was one of her internet trolls.

Ethan Ralph, the host of the Killstream podcast, rose to notoriety for his involvement in the 2014-2015 Gamergate controversy. Gamergate was an online campaign targeted to attack women associated with video games.

The originator of this backlash was reportedly right-wing male gamers who based their attacks on the emergence of women and the impact of feminism in the video gaming space.

During this harassment campaign, several women, including Brianna Wu, Zoë Quinn, and Anita Sarkeesian, who were either game developers or critics, were threatened with physical assault and harm. These women were later doxxed with their phone numbers and addresses leaked online.

Ethan Ralph was reportedly instrumental in the doxing of Brianna on his personal website, The Ralph Retort. In November 2018, Ethan's YouTube channel was terminated due to some of his fans' purported engagement in anti-semitic remarks.

The podcaster also found himself in legal trouble in 2016 when he was arrested in connection with the Gamergate incident. According to Business Insider, Ethan was charged with two felony counts for engaging in an altercation with a police officer and a separate count for obstruction of justice.

Ethan Ralph was also arrested in 2020 for sharing an intimate video with his then-partner without the latter knowing about it.

Disclaimer - The following section has mentions of inc*st. Reader discretion is advised.

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A brief look into Chris Chan's conversation with officers in arrest bodycam footage

On August 1, 2021, police took Chris Chan into custody after it was revealed in a leaked online conversation that she had an inc*stuous relationship with her mother Barbara Chandler. She was reportedly released from jail in March 2023 and her case was dismissed in August of the same year.

According to the bodycam footage of Chris Chan's arrest, the police got hold of her at a Regency Inn Hotel in Henrico, Virginia. Four officers from the Henrico County Police Department approached Christine's room on the inn's second floor.

As the comic creator opened the door and introduced herself as Christine Chandler, one of the officers recording the ordeal informed her of the arrest warrant.

Chris Chan told the officers she would "comply" but wanted to get her things. Shortly after, when the cops asked if there was anyone else in the room with her, Christine vaguely responded:

"Spirit? Well, interdimensional. You can't tangibly see them."

Upon asking her if anyone was physically present with her, Christine said none "originating from this universe".

While the officers wanted to search some of her belongings, such as her wallet, phone, and keys, she told them they were free to look through everything in the room as she had "nothing to hide".

Christine clarified to the cops that she identifies as a female as also recorded on her driver's license and said she wished to be "respected as such". Chris Chan further told the officers she had two phones —

"One for the trolls, and one for my home. I've got two phones. One for the bullies, and one for my friends."

Suddenly, the officer recording the events noticed a vehicle with two people peering at the hotel room from the nearby gas station. It piqued the officers to be cautious and after taking a look at the strangers, Chris Chan confirmed she did not know them personally and had no idea what they were doing there.

However, she told the cops that those people might be recording the arrest as she was an internet personality and was famous.

Later, Christine reiterated that there was "nothing illegal in the room" and "definitely" not any drugs. She told the officers she was aware of the ongoing investigation into the online revelation of her relationship with her mother.

When the officers asked her to take off any jewelry she had on except for any religious item such as the Cross, Christine told them the "Sonichu-shaped medallion" was her 'Cross'.

Sonichu is the character from Chris Chan's graphic novel that she drew by hand and is a blend between Sonic the Hedgehog and the popular Pokemon Pikachu.

Chris Chan said the Sonichu medallion works as a protective emblem for her, but the officer informed her she might not be allowed to keep it on her body when they arrive at the jail facility.

The comic creator then delivered a confusing statement to the officers saying, that if any of them had felt a punch-like sensation in their legs, it was her husband "Magi-chan Sonichu" who resides on the opposite side of the universe.

Ethan Ralph's alleged "cameo" appeared next up in the clip. As Christine was being moved into the police cruiser, Ethan could be purportedly heard telling her she was being livestreamed with about 3,000 people watching.

As the podcaster continued to ask her questions, one officer suggested Christine not to engage in a conversation with him.

As the crowd continued to yell Chris Chan's name, the officers realized she was actually famous on the internet and were amused.