Tragic Loss of UW-Whitewater Gymnast Kara Welsh

Tributes are pouring in for Kara Welsh, a 21-year-old gymnast from Plainfield, Illinois, who was fatally shot in her off-campus apartment in Whitewater, Wisconsin, on August 30, 2024.

The incident occurred around 11:54 p.m. when Welsh was allegedly shot multiple times by a man whom police believe she knew. The details surrounding their relationship remain unclear, but a physical altercation is reported to have taken place before the shooting.

Whitewater Police discovered Welsh deceased at the scene. A 23-year-old male suspect has been taken into custody and is facing multiple charges, including first-degree intentional homicide and endangering safety with a dangerous weapon.

Ryan Callahan, the athletic director at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, stated that the team was notified of Welsh’s tragic passing on Saturday night. “Right away, you just knew there were so many people impacted by Kara’s personality,” he expressed.

Nick Becker, one of Welsh’s former coaches, noted the difficulty in processing this tragedy. He emphasized that she had always made good choices and was a dedicated athlete.

Childhood friend Sarah Torello reminisced about their time together, describing Welsh as the funniest person she knew and a dedicated gymnast. Welsh was preparing for her senior year at UW-Whitewater, majoring in management and contributing significantly to the gymnastics team, having won an individual national title on vault in 2023.

Corey King, the chancellor of UW-Whitewater, released a statement expressing sadness over Welsh’s death and urging the university community to support each other during this difficult time.

The gymnastics team has made grief counselors available for support to its members as they process this heartbreaking news.

A remembrance gathering is scheduled for Monday morning in Plainfield, where local residents plan to tie white ribbons on trees to honor Welsh’s memory.