Suspect Named in Killing of National Title-Winning College Gymnast After Police Say He Was 'Known to' Her

Chad T. Richards, 23, is facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct while armed

A suspect has been identified in the killing of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student and national title-winning gymnast Kara Welsh.

In a Tuesday, Sept. 3 Facebook post, Whitewater police confirmed that Chad T. Richards, 23, was arrested in connection with the death of 21-year-old Welsh.

Richards is facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct while armed.

Welsh was found dead at an apartment in the 100 block of W. Whitewater Street in Whitewater on Friday, Aug. 30 at approximately 11:54 p.m. local time. She sustained multiple gunshot wounds, according to authorities.

Police said Richards, who was “known to" Welsh, was also at the apartment when officers arrived.

“Through investigation, it was determined that leading up to the shooting, an altercation had occurred between the two,” according to a Whitewater police press release.

Per a tribute message shared by Welsh's school's Chancellor, Corey King, the victim "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."

Related: National Title-Winning College Gymnast, 21, Is Shot Dead in Wisconsin, 23-Year-Old Man Is Arrested

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Welsh's family financially amid the tragedy.

According to the post, Welsh 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.”

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She was “excited to be in her rising senior year as a gymnast at UW-Whitewater which was abruptly cut short on August 30th, by a heartless act of violence,” per the post.

Richards was on the UW-Whitewater wrestling roster for the 2021-22 season, WCLO reported. He is being held at Walworth County Jail and is scheduled to appear in Walworth County Court on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Whitewater Police Department at 262-473-0555 option #4. Anonymous tips may also be shared using P3Tips.com.

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