Suspect in homicide of UW-Whitewater star gymnast makes first court appearance

A University of Wisconsin–Whitewater student is being held on $1 million bond for the death of a star gymnast of the school. 

Kara Welsh, 21, was a national champion and two-time All-American on the UW-Whitewater gymnastics team. She was about to enter her senior year of college, but was shot and killed in an apartment in Whitewater on Aug. 30. 

Chad Richards, 23, was arrested for the shooting. He appeared in court Tuesday for a bond hearing. Although he had not yet been charged, the Whitewater Police Department is recommending charges of first-degree intentional homicide.

Kaeli Welsh, Welsh’s sister, spoke during the bond hearing. 

“My little sister, Kara, was the light of my life,” Welsh said. “She was always smiling, always knew just what to say to make people laugh and was my overall favorite person on the planet.”

Welsh — a native of Plainfield, Illinois — was majoring in business management at UW-Whitewater.  A statement from the gymnastics team said she was a “dedicated and supportive teammate.”

“Her big personality and passion for motivating those around her helped her teammates succeed,” the statement said. 

Flags were flown at half-staff on campus in her honor on Tuesday, the first day of classes at the university. UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey King said counseling services are being offered to students and staff of the school. 

Ryan Callahan, the university’s athletic director, said Welsh was “extremely hard working” and “extremely compassionate.” 

“Kara was just such a wonderful human being,” Callahan said. “She’s one of those that, whenever you’re around her, she made you better.”

Her athletics biography said she chose to attend the university because “she fell in love with the campus and the people.” 

Whitewater police said they responded to a call late Friday saying someone had suffered a gunshot wound. When they arrived at an apartment, they found Welsh had been shot multiple times. Officers also found Richards in the apartment.

“Through investigation, it was determined that leading up to the shooting, an altercation had occurred between the two,” a statement from the department said.

Richards, 23, is a student at UW-Whitewater. He’s also a former member of the wrestling team on campus, according to the university website.

He is scheduled to be back in Walworth County Circuit Court Friday for his initial appearance. 

A spokesperson for the university did not respond to a reporter’s request for comment on his court appearance.