Her family is completely shattered by the heartbreaking death of 21-year-old gymnastics star Kara Welsh, who was shot by a man identified by university peers as her friend. The national champion was found dead on August 30th in her off-campus apartment, and one of the couple’s friends says they are “beating themselves up” over not spending “one more” moment that could have “changed” what happened. Read on to learn more about Welsh’s tragic death.
On August 31st, Saturday, Sierra Brooks learned that her best friend and former teammate, Kara Welsh, had been shot the previous evening. “I just can’t comprehend how someone could do this, especially to such a beautiful person,” wrote the 21-year-old Welsh in honor, who was studying economics and business at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW). Welsh was a gymnast and won an individual championship title in vaulting in 2023.
“Nights like this, I blame myself. If I had met them that day, maybe… one more joke, one more memory we could’ve shared… it could have changed things,” said Brayten Wilkerson, a friend of Welsh and the suspect, who was a member of the UWW wrestling team. Speaking to ABC WISN, Wilkerson continued, “Kara was such a sweet person. One of the best people you could ever meet. Her family did an amazing job raising her – she was an incredible woman.” Meanwhile, according to the GoFundMe organizer, Welsh’s loved ones are “deeply saddened” by her death. “Kara had a special ability to bring joy to everyone she met, always putting a smile on people’s faces with her sense of humor, constant support, and kind nature.”
