Man accused of killing UW-Whitewater gymnast pleads not guilty

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The man accused of murdering University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student Kara Welsh pleaded not guilty Friday, court records show.

23-year-old Chad Richards is charged with first-degree intentional murder by use of a dangerous weapon. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf in Walworth County Court on Friday.

Chad Richards, 23, is accused of killing Kara Welsh, a collegiate gymnast in Illinois.(Whitewater Police Department)

He is scheduled to appear in court again for a status conference on January 23, 2025. Bail for Richards had previously been set at $1 million and he has already been arraigned.

Richards is accused of killing Welsh, who was a gymnast at the university, in late August. The 21-year-old student was from Plainfield, Illinois.

During her competitive gymnastics career, Welsh was the 2023 national vault champion, winning the event with a score of 9.825. She was also a two-time WIAC vault champion and tied the 2024 program record with a score of 9.875.