Loved ones are completely shattered by the “heartbreaking” death of Kara Welsh, a 21-year-old star gymnast, who was shot to death by a man identified by college friends as her boyfriend.
The national champion was found dead in her off-campus apartment on August 30, and a friend of the couple says he “beats” himself up for not sharing “just one more” moment that maybe “could change” what happened.
Keep reading to learn about Welsh’s tragic death.
On Saturday August 31, Sierra Brooks learned Kara Welsh, her best friend and former teammate, was shot to death the night before.
“I can’t even wrap my head around how someone could do this, let alone to such a beautiful person,” she writes in a tribute to the 21-year-old Welsh, a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW) student who was majoring in business and economics.
Welsh, a gymnast, also won an individual title on the vault in 2023.
According to a statement, the student, from Plainfield, Illinois, was found dead in an off-campus apartment about 11:54 p.m. on August 30.
She was shot multiple times.
When police arrived, a 23-year-old male who was known to Welsh was also in the home and “it was determined that leading up to the shooting, an altercation had occurred between the two.”
‘Heartbreaking’
“Absolutely heartbreaking to receive a phone call like this one. Kara, you deserved the world and more,” shares Brooks, who in her earlier years trained with Welsh at the Aspire Gymnastics Academy. “Wish I could just see you one more time. Wish I could laugh with you just one more time. Wish I could hug you one more time.”
Aspire also shared several photos of the star gymnast along with a touching tribute for the young woman on their Facebook site.
“As Kara grew, so did Aspire. She was a constant in a sport that is filled with ups and downs. She was full of life and full of personality,” the training center writes. “Kara had a way of communicating through facial expressions that was second to none. Aspire lost a piece of its heart today. Kara, we love you.”
Corey King, chancellor at UWW, released a statement on August 31 and calling Welsh “a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team,” he shares that “news of Kara’s death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community.”
“I hate that evil touched this sweet girl’s life,” writes a friend on Facebook, who shares the tribute posted by Aspire. Referring to Welsh’s sister Kaeli, the netizen continues, “The Welsh girls showed us how to be gym sisters but so much more. Kara was all heart. The loss is unfathomable.”
‘I beat myself up’
Police have not yet released the name of the suspect as he has not yet been officially charged.
But friends reveal the pair were dating, and the man, identified as Chad Richards, was helping Welsh move into her apartment.
“Sometimes I beat myself up, if I was able to see them that day maybe…just one more joke one more memory we could make…could change…” says Brayten Wilkerson, a friend of both Welsh and the suspect, who was a member of UWW wrestling team. Speaking with ABC affiliate WISN, Wilkerson continues, “Kara was a sweetheart. She was one of the best people you could meet. Her family did a great job raising her – a wonderful woman.”
My Stepmother Wore My Late Mom’s Necklace at Her Wedding without My Permission – I Was Enraged & Taught Her a Lesson
When my stepmother stole my late Mom’s necklace and wore it at her wedding without my consent, I was shattered. Furious, I did something that left everyone gasping.
I’m Olive, 23. This isn’t a sob story, but it’s about a necklace. My late Mom’s necklace, the only thing left of her. I lost her to cancer when I was 19. She was my rock, my confidante, my everything.
Dad introduced his new fiancée, Magdalene, who immediately coveted Mom’s necklace. “Olive, honey,” Dad started, “Magdalene really admires your mother’s necklace. She says it would look perfect with her wedding dress.” I was furious. “Dad, that necklace is everything to me. It’s Mom’s.” But he insisted, and I had to hide it.
On their wedding day, I stayed home and checked on the necklace, only to find it gone. I knew who had taken it. I called Magdalene. “You took it,” I accused her. “How dare you take my Mom’s necklace without my permission?” She brushed me off, saying she’d return it after the honeymoon.
I called the cops. At the wedding, they retrieved the necklace from Magdalene, causing chaos. Dad and Magdalene were furious. “You ruined our wedding!” she screamed. Dad added, “That was petty and crazy, Olive. You humiliated us!”
Heartbroken but resolute, I moved out, taking Mom’s memories and her necklace with me. Though the pain lingered, I emerged stronger, holding on to the love and memories of my Mom.
Leave a Reply