Left inset: Kara Welsh (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater). Right: Chad Richards in jail orange (WISN).
Authorities in Wisconsin have finally identified the suspect under arrest in the shooting death last Friday of 21-year-old college gymnast Kara Welsh as a communications student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater who was on the wrestling team .
Chad Richards, a 23-year-old from Loves Park, Ill., remains in custody after appearing in Walworth County court on Tuesday as Welsh’s older sister Kaeli revealed how devastated she was to lose her “best friend” in such a violent way, saying through tears “I truly have no idea what I’m going to do without her,” local ABC affiliate WISN reported .
The Whitewater Police Department on Tuesday said that Richards is expected to be formally charged later this week with first-degree intentional homicide , a Class A felony which could lead to a sentence of life in prison , disorderly conduct while armed, and endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon.