Chad Richards, former member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestling team, has been charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend Kara Welsh, who was found dead in her Wisconsin apartment shortly before midnight on August 30.
Richards, 23, made his initial appearance via video in Walworth County Court on Friday. He was charged with first degree intentional homicide and faces additional charges of endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct.
The Whitewater Police Department has identified the suspect who allegedly killed Kara Welsh as Chad T. Richards, 23, of Loves Park, Illinois. (Whitewater Police Department)
Whitewater police arrived at Richards' apartment on Aug. 30 shortly before midnight and discovered the body of 21-year-old Kara Welsh. Police initially reported the victim had a gunshot wound and that an altercation occurred between the two before the fatal shooting.
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But a criminal complaint released Friday revealed that Welsh was shot multiple times.
Richards made the 911 call and later told investigators the two were arguing when Welsh grabbed his gun from a nightstand. Richards said he struggled with the gun and shot Welsh because he was “in fear for his life,” the complaint continued.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 spent shell casings were found inside the apartment and a medical examiner found Welsh had eight gunshot wounds to the neck, torso and other areas.
This photo provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater shows UW-Whitewater student Kara Welsh, who was killed on Aug. 30, 2024, in an apartment near the university campus. (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater via AP)
All-American college gymnast from Wisconsin was shot dead just days before school started, suspect is in custody
Richards, who is being held on $1 million bail, told investigators that Welsh was his girlfriend.
According to online records, Richards was a member of the UW-Whitewater wrestling team for two seasons from 2020-2022. Welsh also attended UW-Whitewater, where she was a member of the gymnastics team.
“It’s impossible to put into words the impact Kara had on the Warhawk community,” coach Jen Regan said of the national champion and two-time All-American. “A powerful athlete, a dedicated teammate, and the light in everyone’s dark days, Kara truly helped lift each and every one of us during her time as a Warhawk gymnast. There are no words to describe the void we all felt in our hearts, but Kara’s legacy will live on through Warhawk gymnastics forever.”
Police at the scene of the murder of Kara Welsh in Whitewater, Wisconsin. (Oh!)
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Welsh was from Plainfield, Illinois, and was studying management in the school's College of Business and Economics. Last year, she won an individual national title in show jumping at the NCAA Division III Championships.
Richards is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 26 for a preliminary hearing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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