Gymnastics star Kara Welsh, 21, was ‘killed by ex-UW wrestler Chad Richards who shot her dead in college apartment’

GYMNASTICS star Kara Welsh was shot and killed by a 23-year-old who was on the wrestling team at the college she attended, cops say.

Police named Chad Richards as the suspect in Welsh’s murder on Tuesday – five days after she was found dead in her off-campus apartment near the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

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Whitewater Police Department

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Investigators say Richards shot Welsh, 21, multiple times on Friday night after the two got into a fight at her apartment in Whitewater, Wisconsin .

Richards was still at Welsh’s apartment when cops rushed to the scene and found her dead.

He was listed as a sophomore on the 2021-22 UW-Whitewater wrestling roster but wasn’t on the team for the last two seasons.

Richards is set to appear in court on Tuesday after being charged with first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed.

Whitewater police previously said Welsh and her killer knew each other but did not elaborate on their relationship.

Whitewater Chief of Police Dan Meyer refused to disclose the nature of Welsh and Richards’ relationship when approached by The U.S. Sun.

But Welsh’s friends told local ABC affiliate WISN that the pair were dating and Richards was helping her move into her apartment on the night of her murder.

DEVASTATING LOSS

Welsh was supposed to start her senior year at UW-Whitewater on Tuesday.

The university’s chancellor , Corey King, hailed her accomplishments as a gymnast and student in a press release about her death.

“Kara was majoring in management in our College of Business and Economics, and was a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team, winning an individual national title on the vault in 2023,” he wrote.

Welsh was from Plainfield, Illinois. Richards’ hometown was Loves Park, about an hour and a half from Plainfield.

“Kara was a true Warhawk – an amazing person, student, and athlete,” athletic director Ryan Callahan said in a statement.

“We are all lucky to have spent time with her over the past three years.

“She was selfless and made everyone around her better.

“Our hearts go out to her mom, Nancy, and the rest of her family and friends.”

The U.S. Sun has reached out to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for comment.

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Tributes to gymnast Kara Welsh

Kara Welsh, 21, of Plainfield, Illinois, died in a off-campus shooting on Friday, August 30, 2024.

Tributes have been pouring in following the death of the star gymnast, including:

Family and friends: “Kara had a unique ability to bring joy to any person she crossed paths with, always putting a smile on people’s faces with her sense of humor, unwavering support and sweet disposition.”

University chancellor: “Kara was majoring in management in our College of Business and Economics and was a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team, winning an individual national title on the vault in 2023.”

UW-Whitewater head coach : “A powerful athlete, dedicated teammate, and the light in everyone’s dark days, Kara truly lifted each and every one of us up in her time as a Warhawk gymnast.”

Former coach : “She was respectful. She was a hard worker. She was a good kid.”