A tragic death rocked the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater community when a female gymnast was discovered dead just before Labor Day and her ex-wrestler boyfriend appeared to have committed he crime.
Ex-wrestler main suspect in college gymnast shooting
Her boyfriend, an ex-wrestler at the collegiate level, has become the chief suspect after being found at the scene when police arrived.
The suspect copped up to committing the act, but claimed to have “feared for his life,” when he fired multiple rounds into Kara Welsh while she cowered in the fetal position.
The 21-year-old senior, who was a decorated gymnast and hailed from Plainfield, Illinois, was fatally shot on the evening of August 30 in her off-campus apartment, where she was discovered in a pool of her own blood.
Initially, the Whitewater Police Department reported that Welsh had been shot several times after an alleged “altercation with” Chad Richards, a 23-year-old from Loves Park, Illinois.
Richards was the person who called police and was still at the apartment when officers arrived.
New details from the criminal complaint reveal that Welsh and Richards were in a romantic relationship.
Ex-wrestler claims self-defense in gymnast’s murder
Richards claimed that a heated argument in the bedroom led him to fear for his life, prompting him to grab a gun and fire in self-defense, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
He allegedly said that the argument escalated when Welsh retrieved a gun from a nightstand. Richards claimed that he wrested the firearm from her and then fired repeatedly.
“The defendant stated that he shot (the victim) with the handgun because he feared for his life,” court documents stated.
Welsh was reportedly shot eight times in various parts of her body, including the torso and neck.
Evidence suggested that Richards may have fired 11 shots in total, eight of which hit Welsh, some while she was curled up in a defensive posture.
Richards was found sobbing in a hallway outside Welsh’s apartment when authorities arrived.
He was arrested at the scene, and now faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, disorderly conduct while armed, and endangering safety through the use of a dangerous weapon.
The former wrestler has already appeared in a Walworth County courtroom, where his bond was set at $1 million.
Richards is slated to appear for a preliminary court hearing at 2 p.m. on October 28.
Skeletal remains found may belong to missing toddler
In sadly related local news, over the weekend, a deer hunter discovered skeletal remains on private land in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
However, they have not confirmed if this is related to the ongoing search for the missing child, Elijah Vue.
“This is an ongoing investigation, and we are unable to provide specific information regarding the race, sex, or age of the remains,” Manitowoc County Sheriff Dan Hartwig said in a statement.
He noted that “determining the identity” of the remains found “will be a lengthy process” for investigators.
Elijah, 3, was reported missing in February while allegedly being in the temporary care of Jesse Vang, 39, Elijah’s mother’s boyfriend.
Vang reportedly told police that he last saw Elijah at 8 a.m. on February 20, instructing him to pray as punishment for an unknown transgression.
Vang said he took a nap and left the child to his own devices. Three hours later, he awoke to discoverer Elijah was missing.
Katrina Baur, 31, Elijah’s mother, had allegedly left the toddler with Vang as a disciplinary measure, but authorities discovered that she lied about her whereabouts during the search.
“She intentionally sent that child for disciplinary reasons for more than a week to the residence,” Manitowoc District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre told reporters in February.
“She was aware of the tactics used and the lack of care provided. This was an intentional thing by her. And, on at least two occasions, during the interviews she has provided false information on her whereabouts during the past week.”
Now, both Baur and Vang face felony child neglect charges, but officials have not determined Elijah’s location.
