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.”
YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT BRIGITTE BARDOT’S 63-YEAR-OLD SON LOOKS LIKE TODAY
Brigitte Bardot is a well-known French actress, and Nicolas-Jacques Bardot is her only son. He was born in 1960. Initially, Brigitte wasn’t sure if she wanted to have a child, but her love for Jacques Charrier, the actor she was with, led her to keep the baby and marry him.
Brigitte Bardot didn’t want the public or paparazzi to see her while she was pregnant, so she stayed at home and even gave birth there. She was nervous about holding her newborn son and wasn’t sure about being a mother. All she wanted was to get back to her acting career as soon as possible.
After their baby was born, Brigitte Bardot and Jacques Charrier set up a photoshoot to show journalists that they had a happy family life. The actress managed to look loving and happy in the pictures. These photos were then sold to a major publication for a good price.
Brigitte Bardot and Jacques Charrier soon divorced, and their son, Nicolas-Jacques, stayed with his father. Jacques wanted to raise Nicolas-Jacques himself, and Bardot agreed to this arrangement.
Nicolas-Jacques studied economics at a well-known university in Paris. He also had a passion for music and enjoyed making his own tunes. At 22, he approached the famous designer Pierre Cardin to explore a career in modeling.
While working in the fashion industry, Nicolas-Jacques met Anna-Lin, and they got married in Oslo. They have two daughters together. Initially, Brigitte Bardot was hesitant to accept her granddaughters, but eventually, she grew closer to them.
Today, Nicolas-Jacques works in computer programming and technology. He remains deeply in love with his wife, and together they are happily raising their grandchildren.
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