Kara Welsh, a 21-year-old star gymnast, has left her loved ones devastated after she was shot and killed. College friends have identified the person responsible as her boyfriend.
Kara, a national champion, was found dead in her off-campus apartment on August 30. A friend of the couple said he wishes he had spent “just one more” moment with her, hoping it could have “changed” what happened.
On August 31, Sierra Brooks, Kara’s best friend and former teammate, learned the tragic news that Kara had been shot the night before.
“I can’t believe someone could do this, especially to such a beautiful person,” Sierra wrote in a tribute to Kara. Kara was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she was majoring in business and economics.
In 2023, Kara won an individual gymnastics title on the vault.
Kara Welsh, a student from Plainfield, Illinois, was found dead in her off-campus apartment around 11:54 p.m. on August 30. She had been shot several times.
When police arrived, they found a 23-year-old man, who knew Kara, in the home. It was determined that an argument had taken place between the two before the shooting.
“Heartbreaking”
Sierra Brooks, Kara’s friend who trained with her at Aspire Gymnastics Academy, shared her grief. “Absolutely heartbreaking to get a call like this. Kara, you deserved so much more. I wish I could see, laugh, and hug you one more time.”
Aspire Gymnastics Academy posted several photos of Kara along with a tribute on their Facebook page.
“As Kara grew, so did Aspire. She was a steady presence in a sport full of ups and downs. She was full of life and personality,” the center wrote. “Her facial expressions spoke volumes. Aspire lost a part of its heart today. Kara, we love you.”
Corey King, the chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW), released a statement on August 31, calling Kara Welsh “a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team.” He added that “news of Kara’s death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community.”
A friend on Facebook also expressed sorrow, sharing a tribute posted by Aspire Gymnastics Academy. “I hate that evil touched this sweet girl’s life,” they wrote. Referring to Kara’s sister Kaeli, they added, “The Welsh sisters showed us what it means to be gym sisters, but so much more. Kara was all heart. This loss is unimaginable.”
‘I beat myself up’
The police have not yet released the suspect’s name, as he has not been officially charged.
However, friends revealed that Kara was dating the man, identified as Chad Richards, and he was helping her move into her apartment.
Brayten Wilkerson, a friend of both Kara Welsh and the suspect, expressed his sorrow, saying, “Sometimes I beat myself up, thinking if I had seen them that day, maybe… just one more joke, one more memory, could have changed things.” Wilkerson, a member of the UWW wrestling team, told ABC’s WISN, “Kara was a sweetheart. She was one of the best people you could meet. Her family raised her to be a wonderful woman.”
A GoFundMe organizer shared that loved ones are “deeply saddened” by Kara’s death. They said, “Kara had a special ability to bring joy to everyone she met, always making people smile with her sense of humor, support, and kind personality.”
“Kara, 21, was looking forward to her senior year as a gymnast at UW-Whitewater, but her life was tragically cut short on August 30 by a senseless act of violence.”
The Whitewater Police Department stated that charges for first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety with a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed are being sent to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office.
Kevin Costner Says He Won’t Be Returning to Yellowstone in New Video: ‘I Loved It’
Alright, everyone, assemble. Kevin Costner, the movie industry’s favorite cowboy, recently revealed some shocking news. The famous Oscar winner has formally announced his resignation from the popular series Yellowstone, in a narrative twist reminiscent of a soap opera. And oh, how delicately he dropped hints, like a bull in a china shop.
In case you missed it, Costner just posted a video on Instagram in which he said he would not be playing John Dutton again in season 5’s second half. He greeted everyone with the poise of a seasoned storyteller. After a grueling year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all the necessary tasks, I simply wanted to reach out and let you know that I know you enjoy Yellowstone, the cherished series that I adore. I’ve recently come to the realization that I won’t be able to finish Season 5b or go on.
What an unexpected twist in the story! It is simply incomprehensible, similar to choosing not to consume your dessert.
It was a very transformative experience for me. “I adored it, and I’m sure you did too,” Costner went on, touching every tender spot. “To let you know that I’m not coming back,” he said once again. Then, he gave us a classic line: “I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop. I’ll see you at the movies.” There won’t be a dry eye in the house, something tells me.
We were first introduced to John Dutton III, a character as tough as a two-dollar steak, during Costner’s tenure on the show from 2018 to 2022. He starred with a great group of actors that included Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, and Wes Bentley as the father of the Dutton family. Should the Yellowstone set be a rock group, Costner would undoubtedly be the front man.
The writers’ strike caused a series of production delays, but in the end, the first half of season 5 premiered from November 2022 to January 2023. A November 2023 conclusion was first promised to us, but like all good things, it was pushed back. So set a reminder for November 10, 2024, when the Dutton family will return to our screens.
“I liked the people on the show,” Costner said in an exclusive heart-to-heart interview. I found the premise appealing. That planet is my favorite. As evident by his ranking as the #1 in PEOPLE’s annual 100 Reasons to Love America issue, Kevin Costner’s love for Yellowstone is as authentic as mom’s apple pie.
“When it was first pitched to me by Taylor [Sheridan], it was one season and [like] a long movie, which [is] speaking my language,” the legend went on. however in the end, I believe the studio didn’t want that to happen.
Costner, the warrior that he is, happily
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