Chad T. Richards of Loves Park, Illinois identified as suspect who murdered University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW) gymnast girlfriend, Kara Welsh following a dispute at her off campus residence. The pair had recently started dating.
A former college wrestling star has been accused of murdering a Wisconsin college star gymnast last week at her off campus apartment residence.
Chad T. Richards, 23, is alleged to have fatally shot University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnast, Kara Welsh, 21, following a dispute on August 30, police said.
The victim and the suspect were known to each other, but police have not confirmed the exact nature of their relationship, WISN reported.
Suspect previously attended University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW)
Friends told local media that the two had been dating and that Richards was helping Welsh move in to her dorm.
Welsh was found with multiple gunshot wounds at her off-campus apartment just before midnight on Friday. Richards was also in the apartment when officers arrived, cops said in a statement.
Richards, of Loves Park, Illinois, was arrested shortly after and taken to jail.
Of note, Richards had previously attended UW-Whitewater. Richards was listed as a sophomore on the college’s wrestling roster for the 2021-22 season, WCLO reported.
He appeared at the Walworth County Courthouse on Tuesday where the judge set his bond at $1 million citing a significant flight risk.
Police have requested the District Attorney’s office brings charges of first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct while armed, WTMJ-TV reported.
Richards is listed on the University of Wisconsin Whitewater’s 2021-2022 wrestling team roster as majoring in finance.
No known murder motive
The college is the same one where Welsh, from Plainfield, Illinois had major success as a gymnast, having won a national title on the vault in her junior year.
She was majoring in management in the school’s College of Business and Economics and was set to start her senior year on Tuesday.
Her devastated family spoke about their loss and paid tribute to the star athlete in a GoFundMe.
‘We’re all still trying to wrap our heads around this,’ Welsh’s cousin, Shane Welsh, said.
‘There’s so many emotions we’re all feeling by everyone that’s family, friends, classmates, coaches. We’re all so broken by this.’
In their fundraiser, Welsh’s family described how the star athlete was, ‘always putting a smile on people’s faces with her sense of humor, unwavering support and sweet disposition’.
She was also remembered by her college gymnastics coach who praised her abilities.
‘A phenom on the vault, Welsh holds four of the top eight scores recorded by a Warhawk gymnast in program history on the apparatus,’ a statement read.
‘In addition to her high-caliber gymnastics, Welsh was a dedicated and supportive teammate. Her big personality and passion for motivating those around her helped her teammates succeed.’
To date no known motive for murdering the star gymnast was immediately known.
A preliminary hearing for Richards has been scheduled for Friday.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and urged anyone with information to contact the Whitewater Police Department at 262-473-0555, option #4.
