Police have found a suspect in the murder of a title-winning University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student Kara Welsh, who was found dead from apparent multiple gunshot wounds on Aug. 30.
Chad T. Richards virtually appeared in court on Tuesday Sept. 3 where he faced the family of Welsh, who, according to police, was found dead in her apartment just a block from the main campus. Richards was apparently Welsh’s boyfriend; a judge deemed him a flight risk and ruled to maintain the $1 million bond set for Richards, 23.
In the statement, police revealed Richards, also a UW-Whitewater student, was found at the scene of the crime just after a dispute between him and the victim took place. Although the motive remains unclear, Richards was detained at the scene and taken into police custody.
Richards has since been charged with first degree murder, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed, according to police. He remains in jail until he is set to reappear in court.
During his first court appearance, Judge Estee Scholtz ordered the suspect not to set foot on campus although he can remain in contact with the school by phone and electronically, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Richards was also reportedly part of the university’s wrestling team.
Welsh was beloved throughout the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater community. The national-title holding gymnast was a reported star on her university’s gymnastics team, according to the university. The 21-year-old business management major was a rising senior at the university, according to a tribute posted by school’s gymnastics department.
In response to Welsh’s death, the gymnastics department released a statement saying, “‘Kara was a true Warhawk – an amazing person, student and athlete,’ said Athletic Director Ryan Callahan. ‘We are all lucky to have spent time with her over the past three years. She was selfless and made everyone around her better. Our hearts go out to her mom, Nancy, and the rest of her family and friends.’”
A GoFundMe page created on behalf of the Welsh family has raised more than $45,000 so far.
