A college wrestler has been identified as the man accused of killing student gymnast Kara Welsh.
Chad T. Richards, 23, has been charged with fatally shooting Welsh, 21, after an argument on Aug. 30.
According to police, the two knew each other, but the exact nature of their relationship has not yet been confirmed.
Welsh, a student at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in her off-campus apartment just before midnight on Friday.
Chad T. Richards, 23, is accused of fatally shooting Kara Welsh, 21, after an argument on Aug. 30
Richards, of Loves Park, Illinois, was arrested shortly afterward and taken to jail.
He is scheduled to appear in Walworth County District Court later today.
Police have asked the Public Defender’s Office to file charges of first-degree manslaughter, endangering safety through the use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct with a weapon.
Richards is listed on the University of Wisconsin Whitewater wrestling team for the 2021-2022 season with a finance major.
The college is the same as where Welshfrom Plainfield, Illinois
was very successful as a gymnast, winning a national title on the vault in her junior year.
She studied management at the school’s Faculty of Business and Economics.
Her devastated family spoke of their loss and paid tribute to the star athlete in a GoFundMe.
Welsh was a star athlete for her university, winning a national title on the vault in her junior year
Richards was listed on the University of Wisconsin Whitewater wrestling team for the 2021-2022 season
“We’re all still trying to figure this out,” said Welsh’s cousin, Shane Welsh.
“There are so many emotions that we are all feeling, from everyone who is family, friends, classmates, coaches. We are all so devastated.”
During their fundraiser, Welsh’s family described the star athlete as someone who “always put a smile on everyone’s faces with her sense of humour, her unwavering support and her kind nature”.
Her gymnastics coach at university also remembered her, praising her qualities.
Welsh was found with multiple gunshot wounds in her off-campus apartment on Friday
“Welshe is a phenomenon on the vault, having achieved four of the eight highest scores ever achieved by a Warhawk gymnast on this apparatus,” a statement said.
“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.”
Police said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact Whitewater police at 262-473-0555, option #4.
