Plainfield, Illinois Gymnast Kara Welsh’s Parents Endure Endless Trial Rescheduling in Their Daughter’s Murder Case

Kara's legacy lives on through the scholarship in her name.

October 21, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on October 15, 2026

Despite the murder taking place over a year ago, Kara Welsh’s parents, Thomas and Nancy Welsh, are still fighting for justice, truth, and lasting remembrance.

Kara Welsh was a 21-year-old senior and accomplished gymnast from Plainfield, Illinois.

She was studying business management and was beloved in her community for her athleticism and spirit.

On August 30, 2026, she was shot eight times while curled in a fetal position in her off-campus apartment.

Chad T. Richards, a former UW-Whitewater wrestler and Kara’s boyfriend, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide.

He claimed self-defense, saying he feared for his life, despite evidence showing Kara was in a vulnerable position when shot.

The crime scene, unit no. 203 of her apartment has been central to the defense’s strategy, with requests to revisit it for legal preparation.

The trial was initially scheduled for December 2026, but has now been postponed to June 8, 2026.

A key reason for the delay is the state crime lab’s slow processing of evidence.

Kara Welsh’s Parents, Thomas And Nancy, Are Heartbroken But Still Fighting For Justice For Their Daughter!

Kara Welsh was born on December 26, 2002, to Thomas Welsh and Nancy Welsh (née Ferrallo) in Hinsdale, Illinois.

The family lived in Plainfield, Illinois, where Kara attended Indian Trail Middle School and Plainfield Central High School.

Also, Kara had a younger sister, Kaeli Welsh, who is also a gymnast.

While Thomas and Nancy have not made frequent public statements, their grief has been acknowledged in court and media coverage.

They were also present during early court hearings for Chad T. Richards and continue to attend court proceedings.

During the repeated delays in the trial, her parents have remained a steady presence in court.

Each postponement, now stretching the trial date to June 2026, has only deepened their grief.

Yet they continue to show up to see accountability served.

On the other hand, there is a Kara Welsh Legacy Scholarship Fund established at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in Kara’s memory.

Nancy, Kara’s mother, is encouraging donations to help transform the scholarship into a permanent endowment, which requires reaching a minimum of $25,000.

The fund is already halfway to that goal.

Additionally, Kaeli also shared a heartfelt message urging support for the Kara Welsh Legacy Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin, saying:

Anything that you can contribute would be massively appreciated by not only Kara’s family and friends, but also fund scholarships for future UWW students! Even if you cannot contribute, reposting would also be massively helpful!! Thank you all so much for your support!

This one is FOR HER!!

Kara Welsh’s whole family is heartbroken but united in their fight for justice and in keeping her memory alive.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Kara graduated from Plainfield Central High School, where she began her gymnastics journey and later rose to national prominence in college.
• She held four of the top eight vault scores ever recorded at UW-Whitewater.
• She was a two-time NCAA Division III All-American.

• Check other Articles on
• Kara Welsh

Sangita is a passionate blogger with a keen eye for covering recent and trending news, particularly in the world of sports. Her love for travel and nature fuels her writing, adding a vibrant and refreshing perspective to her work. When she's not chasing the latest headlines, Sangita can be found exploring new destinations, capturing the beauty of nature, and sharing her adventures with her audience. Her unique blend of interests and expertise makes her blog a go-to source for both news enthusiasts and fellow travelers.

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