Star college gymnast, 21, shot dead in off campus home, 23-year-old boyfriend arrested

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.”

Test your visual acuity by spotting the old man’s lost wife in 6 seconds!

Optical Illusion Vision Test: People with the best observation skills can spot the old man’s wife in the picture in 6 seconds. Are you one of them? Attempt now!

Optical illusions are one of the most loved online challenges nowadays. It is considered the simplest way to test attentiveness and visual prowess of an individual.

Attempting optical illusion puzzles helps to improve a person’s problem-solving abilities and critical thinking by engaging the brain and eyes.

Moreover, optical illusions stimulate the brain and enhance our logical and analytical abilities which can boost cognitive abilities.

Do you have high level of visual acuity?

Find out now!

In the image shared above, an old man is depicted. He is somewhat concerned about something.

As the title suggests, the old man’s wife has gone missing.

Can you help find the old man’s wife in 6 seconds?

Your time starts now!

This is a simple test of your observation skills.

Check the image carefully. 

Have you spotted the old man’s wife?

People with the high visual prowess will be able to spot the old man’s wife faster than others.

Time is running out.

You need to look at the image attentively to find the old man’s wife.

Hurry up; the clock is ticking.

And…

Time’s up.

Stop looking now.

A huge round of applause for those highly observant readers who have managed to spot the old man’s wife within the time limit.  

You have high level of visual acuity.

Those who couldn’t find the old man’s wife can check out the solution below.

The old man’s wife can be spotted by turning the image upside down to reveal the outline of the woman on the right thigh of the old man. 

If you loved this optical illusion challenge, share it with your family and friends.

Before you leave, do not forget to try out some more challenges from our recommended reading section below.

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*