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.”
Catherine Zeta-Jones’ daughter is growing up fast, and she looks just like her famous mom
It can’t be easy growing up under the bright spotlight that comes with having two famous Hollywood actors for parents.
To put it mildly, Dylan Michael and Carys Zeta Douglas, the daughters of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, will probably never lack anything, even though there are undoubtedly worse places to be born.
The media has been keenly observing Dylan and Carys’s growth, with many speculating about whether they will emulate their well-known parents and achieve fame of their own.
At least it appears that we finally have a solution for Carys.
Zeta-Jones has been open about her expectations that her two children would try to follow her into the big screen.
“You want to look at them when they’re on stage,” the 49-year-old said in an interview with Hello! Magazine. They’re interested in the craft as well. My son wants to study theater for his bachelor’s degree. My daughter thought that being an actress would be a better career than being a pediatrician until she was five years old.
Since both of the kids wish to follow in their parents’ footsteps, a lot of people are interested in seeing how the two kids grow. For those who require further proof, the recent excitement around Carys—who has been receiving a lot of attention due to the fact that she is starting to resemble her mother more and more every day—is adequate.
When the teenage girl made her runway debut at New York Fashion Week the previous year, she generated a lot of attention.
She has been under the radar ever since, which makes sense considering that she is only 15 years old. But when she and her mother attended another fashion event this week, the radio quiet was broken.
Carys and Catherine stole the show at the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda women’s couture event held at the New York Metropolitan Opera House. When the mother and daughter showed up dressed same, they posed for multiple pictures that highlighted their similarity.
Like her mother, Carys is definitely becoming into a lovely woman. Moreover, according on all accounts, her disposition is equally benevolent!
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