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.”
The Outfit That Sparked a Wedding War: Did I Go Too Far…
Claire just wants to be the beautiful mother of the groom. But when she finds out that her daughter-in-law has her own ideas for the wedding, Claire decides to focus on her outfit. This leads to a fight between her and Alice on the wedding day. Alice claims that Claire ruined the wedding by taking her dream dress, while Claire thinks she did nothing wrong. Who is actually at fault?
All I wanted was to be the mother of the groom. That’s it. I just wanted to be a loving mother who adored her son more than anything. But this is the story of how my effort to make my son’s wedding perfect turned into a day we’d all rather forget.
When Mark introduced Alice to us, she was nothing like the person I expected him to fall in love with. Mark, my son, is a lawyer at a top firm, a job he got right after graduating from Stanford.
I’m going to be a lawyer, Mom,” he once told me when he was in high school and working on an essay about his future career.
“I can see that,” I said, making him breakfast as he studied.
“It’s to help fight injustices. For children, specifically,” he added, sipping his orange juice.
Mark had big dreams, and I knew he would always reach for the stars.
Alice was different from Mark. She was light and carefree, while Mark was serious and thoughtful. Alice was a self-taught coder who worked from their cozy apartment. Their personalities, views, and interests didn’t match.
But they made it work—and they were a sweet couple for the most part. But love can be blind.
When Mark proposed to Alice, we were invited to help surprise her.
“Please, Mom,” Mark said on the phone. “Alice isn’t close to her family, so having you and Dad there will show her she’s supported.”
“Of course, honey,” I replied, imagining their wedding.
I put aside my worries and offered to pay for the wedding. James and I had saved money for Mark’s education, but he had received scholarships that covered it all.
“We can use that money for the wedding, Claire,” my husband suggested at lunch the day after the proposal.
“It’s the best thing we can do for them,” I agreed. “This way they can save to move out of that small apartment. I know Mark wants a house with a garden for a dog.”
When we told Mark and Alice, I thought it would bring us closer. I didn’t have any daughters, so I saw this as my chance.
I could get to know Alice better—and it would be good for Mark to see that his wife and mother got along. But planning the wedding only highlighted our differences.
A few months into the planning, I met Alice at a coffee shop to discuss details. But we clashed over everything.
“I think roses are timeless,” I said, enjoying a slice of cake.
“They are, but they’re also overdone,” Alice replied, sipping her tea. “Mark and I want peonies.”
We went back and forth and couldn’t agree on anything.
“How about this?” I suggested. “You pick everything else, and just tell me the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses, so there won’t be any clashes.”
“They won’t be wearing green,” she said. “I’m leaning toward pink.”
I paid the bill, and we parted ways without resolving much.
Then one afternoon, Alice texted me.
“Hi Claire, just picking out my wedding dress with the girls! I wish you were here!”
She attached photos of her top five dress picks.
I knew Alice and I had different ideas about the wedding, but I wanted to be included in the big decisions. I wished she had invited me dress shopping.
“At least she’s sending you the top picks,” James said as he read the newspaper beside me.
“I know, but it’s not the same,” I replied.
“Do they look good?” he asked. “Can I see them?”
We scrolled through the dress photos together. They were fine, but nothing special.
None of them seemed to meet the standard I expected for my future daughter-in-law.
Alice’s favorite dress wasn’t what I expected.
I typed back, telling Alice it wasn’t the best choice and hoped my financial support would matter. James and I hadn’t set a budget; they had everything available to them.
“Why not consider the second one? It might be more flattering for you.”
James chuckled beside me.
“You’re overstepping,” he said.
Before I could respond, I got a message from Alice.
“Sorry, but I disagree. This is the dress I’m choosing.”
That night at dinner, as James plated our salmon, I shared my frustration.
“Alice isn’t even considering my opinion, and I’m paying for the dress!” I said.
James tried to mediate and even texted Mark to let him know how I felt.
“I think you should let them handle the wedding planning now,” he said. “Focus on yourself and your dress.”
Mark eventually convinced Alice to wear the dress I preferred.
I had to admit, it was the easier option, and I hadn’t had time to shop for my dress before that.
So, I visited a few boutiques and found my perfect dress. It was emerald green, which I knew would highlight my eyes.
“That’s beautiful,” James said when I tried it on for him.
I felt different. I no longer felt like the sidelined mother of the groom. Instead, I felt beautiful and confident every time I thought of the dress.
As the wedding week approached, James and I made sure to be present at all the events Mark and Alice needed us to attend, including the rehearsal dinner, where we raised our glasses to toast them.
“All sorted, Mom?” Mark asked me. “Your dress and everything?”
I smiled at my son. Even with the tension between Alice and me, he always checked in on me.
“Of course,” I replied. “I’m ready to celebrate you and Alice.”
On the morning of the wedding, I put on my green dress and did my makeup. It was everything I had wanted to look like for my son’s wedding—elegant and classy.
When I arrived at the venue, the atmosphere was thick with whispers. I ignored them, thinking everyone was just surprised to see me in something different.
I went straight to the bride’s dressing room, hoping to see Alice and compliment her before she walked down the aisle.
When I opened the door, Alice looked up, and her joyful expression turned into one of devastation. She looked me up and down and then burst into tears.
“Why did you do this to me, Claire?” she sobbed, her voice choked with emotion.
Confused, I stepped into the room and closed the door.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Your dress!” she exclaimed.
“What about it?” I asked, second-guessing everything.
“It’s my dream wedding dress, just in another color,” she said, nearly shouting.
I was taken aback.
“Alice, honestly,” I said. “I didn’t realize—they look so different in color.”
But Alice wasn’t listening. She sat on the couch, her head in her hands.
“How could you?” she cried. “You’ve made this day about you! Just because we didn’t take any of your suggestions!”
Mark, hearing the commotion from his dressing room, rushed in.
“Mom? What’s going on?” he asked, looking between us for an explanation.
Trying to calm the situation, I explained slowly.
“I didn’t see the resemblance, Mark,” I said. “I truly just loved the dress, and I thought—”
Alice stood up and marched toward Mark.
“No!” she shouted. “You thought you’d show me what I could’ve had, but in green. Isn’t that it?”
“Mom, please,” Mark said. “Let’s just try to get through the day. Please, for me.”
I agreed and left the dressing room, wanting to find James and sit quietly until the day was over.
I knew Alice and I were on a thin line, but I didn’t expect her to shout at me like that.
Naturally, I was upset, but I didn’t want to ruin their day any more.
Looking back, maybe I should have been more open to Alice’s wishes. It was her day after all, not just mine to control. The question of whether I was wrong weighs heavily on me.
Yes, in trying to impose my vision, I may have lost sight of what truly mattered—Alice’s happiness and Mark’s peace on their special day.
Was I wrong for what I did?
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