Chad Richards says he “feared for his life” when his girlfriend was murdered

Chad T. Richards was arrested for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, 21-year-old University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnast Kara Walsh, on August 30. According to recent reports, Richards stated that he was “fearful for his life” and that's why he fired several shots at Walsh.

Accordingly Law & CrimeRichards was charged with first degree premeditated murder, disorderly conduct while under arms, and endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon in connection with Welsh's murder. He appeared in court in Walworth County and is currently being held on $1,000,000 bail.

#UPDATE: Officials have arrested 23-year-old Chad T. Richards in the death of 21-year-old UW-Whitewater student Kara Walsh.

The charges include: first degree premeditated murder, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct while armed. @CBS58

— Alex Corradetti (@AlexCorradetti) 3 September 2024

Police officials have said the ex-wrestler was “fearing for his life” when he shot Walsh, who was found in the fetal position in her off-campus apartment, multiple times. Richards, 23, called police, and when they arrived at the scene, he was lying in the hallway crying, according to a complaint. When officers entered the apartment, they found his girlfriend “lying on the floor in a pool of blood,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Richards told police he and Walsh were arguing and he became so frustrated that he punched the door. As they continued to argue, she allegedly grabbed his gun from a nightstand, wrestled it away and fired in self-defense.

“The defendant stated that he shot (the victim) with the pistol because he feared for his life,” the indictment states.

He shot her several times while Walsh lay in the fetal position.

A medical examiner said Walsh suffered eight gunshot wounds to his neck, upper body and other extremities. Eleven empty cartridge cases were found on the floor of the apartment.

Richards is a former college wrestler from Loves Park, Illinois. He appeared via video in a Walworth County courtroom on Sept. 6. Richards is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 28 at 2 p.m., according to court records.