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.”
“Not Classy,” Nicole Kidman’s Deep Cleavage Sparks Controversy, but Some People Are Defending Her
Nicole Kidman recently made waves online after her latest red carpet appearance, where she wore a daring dress that showed off her cleavage. While some critics were quick to claim that the 57-year-old actress is “too old” to wear such revealing outfits, her fans came to her defense, emphasizing that style has no age limit.
Nicole Kidman, 57, turned heads at the Los Angeles premiere of the upcoming Netflix limited series, The Perfect Couple, wearing a stunning black dress that shimmered under the lights. The floor-length gown featured a sleek, flowing design that accentuated her figure, while its bold, deep-cut neckline added a touch of daring glamour to her look.
As she walked the red carpet, the dress glistened and caught the attention of everyone in attendance, instantly making her one of the night’s standout stars.
A video of Kidman arriving at the event quickly went viral, prompting a flurry of online comments about her bold fashion choice. While many fans praised her daring style and timeless beauty, the deep cleavage on display became a focal point for discussion. Not all the feedback was positive—some critics took to social media with harsh remarks, questioning her choices.
Comments such as, “Too old for that dress,” surfaced, alongside another saying, “Not a fan of such exposure on the top half. It’s just not classy at all.” Despite these negative remarks, the conversation highlighted a divide in opinions regarding fashion, aging, and public expectations of women in the spotlight.
In response to the criticism, Kidman’s fans rallied to her defense, flooding the internet with messages of support and admiration for the actress’s bold look. Many praised her confidence and applauded her decision to wear what she loves, regardless of age.
Comments like, “It’s never too old, kudos to beautiful ladies,” and “THIS DRESS LOOKS AMAZING ON HER!” echoed across social media, reinforcing that most people were in awe of her striking outfit and her beauty. The overwhelming positivity demonstrated that, for many, Nicole Kidman continues to be a fashion icon who is unafraid to challenge norms and redefine elegance on her own terms.
Salma Hayek celebrated her 58th birthday in style, posting a breathtaking bikini photo that left her fans in awe and the internet buzzing.
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