So people got the wrong view of her saying she was a Bully. It was only a matter of time before she d get caught so she came forth. Now thats just sad. I dont see how Kirsten was worse than any teenage girl. I dont even think she was there when that all went down. This type of case just proves what can happen when bullies go too far. Yes. "Our community is devastated. The girl that stole her life from her shouldve never been released from prison. We dont see the others, dont mix with their lives, not care for them, stay away or just say Its better that something happens to others, not me, but we dont get the message to be just more polite. She isnt outgoing like she use to be, I can see why, she has to watch over her head. The people involved in the case are local residents, driven by an amalgamation of insecurities and human greed. She acted like Kirsten except Kirsten was (more funny). However, internet sleuths have long been fixated with uncovering Bernadettes latest location, and identity. Here we go again. Seems like alot of a holes justifying others that are a holes sorry no justification theres no reason to act like an a hole young or old, you treat all ppl with respect and the way you yourself would like to be treated dont need parents or Bible school to learn morality, any person who trust to justify any bad behavior has no morality or class in my opinion, and theres a post somewhere that says girls went along with bullying so they werent the ones being bullied lol, what a sad excuse thats called being a coward and a follower and has nothing to do with popularity depending on what ones warped definition is of popularity its not how a person looks or what they have or how they act but how they are perceived by what they do by inspiring ppl its being admirable and nothing is admirable about acting like trash talking scans that need to put others down to feel better about themselves thats just lowlives that probably pick on the handicaps as well real big of them, thats no one by definition that I popular some ppl must have thier definition all messed up and who says theyre popular anyway them lol Im sure every group thought they were the special ones, but by lowering ones level to picking on other ppl harassing demeaning and taunting them eventually theyre going to come across the wrong ppl who dont take that bs, and Im not justifying murder but it takes more than a bad comment on a pair of boots to push someone to that point, Im sure she didnt share all of the abuse she was subjected to, but I definitely compare scum that target other ppl to feel better about themselves like the leader of the holocaust and if thousands or plausibly millions werent followers of some psycho with an inflated ego than millions of ppl would have never been tortured or murdered all because scum bags like the ones that come up with excuses for bad behavior cant stand up for whats right because theyre pathetic loosers that are too afraid to stand up for whats right and they ate no better those ppl who did nothing and followed hitler were all conspirators and complicit and there are a multitude of cases just like that which is why ppl need to stop with there warped sense of wanting to belong to some misfit group that is the furthered thing from what is popular is really all about. She is no longer in jail today and is leading her private life. It focuses on an American town, which is rocked by a violent crime. She wanted to be like her, and she struggled a lot to make it happen. However, she didn't finish her nine-year sentence behind bars as she was paroled after seven years, released on June 10, 1992. The teen girl died in a fire at 6 a.m. Sunday morning in the Orinda home where she lived that is now the site of a growing memorial. If we have the fear of God n understand the importance of Gods creation. You took the words right out of my mouth! She slaughtered the girl. She was outgoing even as a nurse, but now, I hear she dont really associate with anyone outside of family. So she didnt like everybody who does? However, Protti followed their car stabbing Costas five times just as she was about to reach her doorstep. 15-year-old Kirsten Costas was ruthlessly murdered on June 23, 1984, by one of her schoolmates. The officers all ran unopposed save for the position of junior class Treasurer. And, they realized, the problem didnt lie only with Bernadette. One person said Missy was mean and a bully and she bullied them bad well that person and you are the same, Justifying Murder cause someone was mean, or Stuck up. And only 7 years in jail with parrole?! Much more middle class. I believe Kirsten was going to out her for being weird and tell her weird conversation to her friends and put her at risk to be the butt of jokes. I guess that makes their daughter better than anybody elses. As Angela lifts her bag, she looks back to her mother and gives her a classic "Why did you do that, mom?" Thats so hot, the girl says, and heads home. Believe me it was a 6 month witch hunt. Its all coming back to haunt her for what she did. Kirsten was full of energy and life. 10 Awesome Facts You Need To Know About The Lifetime Film, A Friend To Bernadette couldnt of been to nice, she Murdered and watched 2 girls take the blame knowing it took a toll on thier lives and Families. If the person that Tori spelling played in that movie Was indeed Kristen Costas attitude toward other students then anybody couldve seen this coming. I do believe she had some she didnt like, (but who didnt)! Death of a Cheerleader is one of the most famous movies of real-life murder cases involving cheerleaders. If you did your research, you would know that Kirsten didnt bully Bernadette. Yes, the movie showed Kirstan being extremely mean. Setting up a fake meeting and lying about a Party is Strange and Weird. She was snooty to or maybe just misunderstood. But they never said! It is done and over and over 3 decades. Who killed Stacey in Death Of A Cheerleader? Nancy I would of never considered Murder, that is just plain Sick. You said your Sister was a friend of both girls? What if what you and I perceive as not nice clothes were as nice as she opened bc her family wasnt wealthy? I didnt know Kirsten but a friend of mine knew her well, she was a (Bubbly) girl and yes she was (self absorbed) what teen girl isnt. If it hadnt have been for Bernadettes confession, this case probably would remain unsolved. Donnah Winger murder case: What happened to convict Mark Winger? No , then its gona be she was mental ill and forgotten forever yes? This girl wanted to be accepted but was met with several failures, including failing to make the yearbook staff. I never seen her make fun of anyone, of course, I wasnt around her that much, but she was friendly and nice. She couldnt careless about Orinda to start with let alone go back there. I hear Bernadette dont want anything to do with anyone from her past at all now. I didnt get into the club I wanted to. Both were members of the swim team, but Costas was reportedly much more popular than Protti, according to the Associated Press in 1984. The best way is to bring bullies down a peg or a few. Its time to move on and stop rehashing alll this. Did you ever think that she would not want to try to defend herself in court with letting out the terrible things Kristen said to her and how she berated her and others because she was sorry and she felt as though that would only add insult to injury to Kristens family?. Bernadette was in with them to so was Jill. The Lifetime movie serves as a dramatic retelling, where we see how a girl decides that she can be popular and accepted at school, by befriending one of the more beautiful classmates. My friend was surprised it was Bernadette who murdered Kirsten! Many people know about Bernadette's infamous story, but what about her personality? Kirsten loved to joke and tell funny jokes to. Maybe its the black and white look but Kirsten looked as plain as Bernadette. I cant get to the point quickly. And yes, I was bullied in high school too. I hope it was justice, though I fear it may have been nothing more than entertainment. 15-year-old Kirsten Costas was ruthlessly murdered on June 23, 1984, by one of her schoolmates. We had quite a few of them there. She wasnt the Lonely girl with one friend, had Plenty of friends, was about as Popular as Kirsten was, just didnt see it. It all started with Bernadette inviting Kirsten to a party, which the latter was unaware of. Dont care how mean Kirsten was, that was uncalled for, you that defend Bernadette saying Kirsten was mean girl, do you realize Kirsten is gone forever, and will never be back, do you realize Bernadette took a Life! Next to Orinda. Oh Im sure they so love having thier names and business displayed for the World to see. She fit in and was as popular as Kirstens 2 close friends (Diane and Stacy), Bernadette wanted more. The kids went to Miramonte High School. Bernadette committed the crime at the age of 15. She is In her 50 s now, thats if shes alive. Cause Bernadette was stuck up to, or thats how Bernadette appeared. As a result, many students believed that she was responsible for killing Kirsten. Is it respectful to write in another comment that Kirsten had it well deserved, which suggests that you think Kirstens murder was justified? And the sister projected her crappy life onto her younger sister because she was unhappy. She had plenty of friends like in the film who loved her, but she cared only about superficial things, and people. She was not in a popular group, just a group. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. Elaine, who was studying the Bible, set her kitchen timer and resumed reading. They laughed, I think Kirsten was only teasing Nancy and Joanna they didnt mean any harm with it. All other photos are from the Miramonte High School yearbook, 1985. Kirsten is forever missed. Couldnt get the smell out of car for weeks. She was not some vulnerable lost soul who was bullied mercilessly. Im sorry but not sorry to be petty but Bernadette has a huge fg nose and hamster cheeks topped with a double chin. The script for the movie was written by Randall Sullivan who wrote the one-sided scathingly critical Death of a Cheerleader article for Rolling Stone, which the movie was based on. You dont know whether or not Kirsten had to go without anything. This whole story is just disgusting. But I heard both sides on Kirsten, some say she was a hugging person who liked everyone, like in the Interview of a friend of hers mom said she was a loveable Puppy. Kirsten really wasnt big enough to be a Bully and she was more into Social things and School Spirit than bullying others. The day after the arrest, the sheriff called a well-attended press conference. 'Death of a Cheerleader' Is Based on This Chilling Story But it is a very old case and Bernadette is no where to be found,(or cares to be)by other than family. Why deliberately refrain from giving examples if she could have been accused of first degree murder? I lost for cheerleader. I think a lot of people feel bad, says one junior, referring to the rumors implicating Heather. Most people would be angered and perturbed by that kind of behavior. All of the pictures featured here are photos taken from newspapers, not the authors private collection. The ones no one else liked theres a reason usually. Honestly teens do deserve another chance at something eventually. But Miramonte was what you made of it, I wasnt Popular, but I got along esp, with Kirsten and her group. She didnt give examples because she wasnt bullied by Kirsten. They probably rubbed her the wrong way, or got on her nerves somehow. Kirsten didnt hate anyone, (as for Dee) she didnt like the way she acted thats all. Cause Bernadette was so obsessed with Kirsten liking her, she had some idea it was Bernadette, also Bernadette owned a Pinto same make as the car seen speeding away. Again so many came on saying they knew Kirsten and sharing Personal Details on other girls there. That child was a nightmare to her peers and friends (lets not forget how much she disrespected them every day). Due to Bernadettes name change, she has seemingly disappeared from the public eye. Felicia Forbes: The story of Tommy 'Tiny' Lister's wife. i feel sorry.for any poor sap who has to live in her neighborhood because like the investigator wisehart said she has a hidden trigger that anyone can pull just by not giving her what she thinks she.should get in a relationship. Kirsten was a true Social Butterfly, always joking with others, talking with others, We werent friends but I liked Kirsten and all those girls. Bernadette planned everything down to the last detail, even telling Kirstens Mum to ask Kirsten not to tell anyone about the supposed dinner that night. And if Kirsten was so bad and such a bully why did Bernadette want to be friends with her so badly? I dont understand what is wrong with people. It was on the Murder still haunts Moraga Residents. Kirsten was well liked and cared. I feel sorry for Bernadette. The costas still have to deal with pain and grief and it doesnt matter if she was angry nobody thought about kirsten or her family by letting bernadette get a slap on the wrist! Kristen was adorable. So they had a clique, what School or job doesnt? So, I dont know, I just felt bad., She said that Kirsten, Just sort of put me down I remembered one time on the ski trip we were on together. You are lying. A cheerleader was found dead, and with the investigators having little to go on, they brought in the FBI, who made some astounding revelations. Even so, I said before, and Ill say it again, still no excuse to murder. You copied your little story from some other website. Bernadette then appears to have confessed her feelings of admiration for Kirsten in the empty car-park at night. That Mats Chick dont know her head from her Butt. Bernadette took a lie detector test as they questioned students, whose results were inconclusive, proving neither guilt nor innocence. She did have money, dont let that other Mats tell you any different. Instead of walking home, she accepted her friends' offer to drive her home. "I lost for cheerleader and I didnt get the club I wanted and I didnt get (on the) yearbook (staff)," Costas' murderer explained in a taped confession cited by Los Angeles Times. The knife was her sisters for making lunch it was even in the movie that way. A cheerleader was found dead, and with the investigators having little to go on, they brought in the FBI, who made some astounding revelations. Her biggest desire was to be liked and succeed, just like Kirsten. The movie and rolling stone for both girls in a narrative to sell newspapers. She didnt like Nancy and a few others. She was good at that. Protti set up a trap to lure Costas into spending more time with her. Bernie has a sweet melancholy. What are you talking about?? Thier homecoming Queen was friendly and always spoke to people. She was also friends with people who were considered popular. You need help. 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How was the judge stupid when first of all the evidence didnt show or prove 1st degree murder then secondly that was the law at the time? I only talked to Regardless she didnt deserve to die, and she isnt the only one who laughed at people in High School. I wasnt a cheerleader at all, I was in some clubs at school,( not Bobbies or Atlantis) but Spanish. I believe Bernadette tried to friend her, and as I read and I do believe she acted on impulse, I believe she was just so enraged she snapped and did the (unthinkable). Wish someone who knew facts would tell us about the real events leading up to Kirstens death. Really? After the attacks start again, Ellie must find the killer before they get to her. She was home with a friend and an adult man who was watching them, classmates say. Bernadette was sweet, cant imagine her even capable of something like Murder, but she was. There is no justification for murder, and I am not siding with the criminals, but you can push someone so far. It sounds like she was only mean one time about her having cheap ski boots. Even religion, which is supposed to be about mostly how you treat others. Bernadette then stalked Kirsten all the way to her house which would anger and disturb most people. Her family was not the same. A teenage girl sought in the stabbing murder of an Orinda cheerleader lured her victim from home under the guise of driving her to a phony initiation ceremony for a socially-exclusive volunteer group, Contra Costa Sheriffs deputies said yesterday. Your email address will not be published. Everybody who knew her just loved her well most everybody. Is it respectful to suggest that Kirstens parents should have raised her better and that they are to blame for her murder? : Were you a perfect teen who got along with everyone and never said anything unkind to anyone ever? She idolized Kirsten and her clique, wanting to be more like Kirsten. I agree Bernadette should of at least got 20 years like (Karen Severson and Laura Doyle) murder of Missy Availa, that happened a year after Kirstens like 5 hours South of us. Neither does a lot of former classmates. She was committed to the California Youth Authority. Kirstens friendship meant so much to her, she would go on and on about it. Secondly, if you actually did your research on the true case, and not some Hollywood movie who portrayed supposedly Kirsten, who was of Greek American heritage a blond, and Bernadette, who was the real blond, a brunette. It weirded Kirsten out. It was to Personal. It sounds like something Berns BFF called Kirsten, that or Virginia Protti, it is someone close to Bern. My honest opinion on this is that I think that Kirsten didnt deserve to die. Meet the 2020-2021 Class Officers - The Mirador Apart from her socioeconomic conditions, Bernadette also had severe body issues, wherein she thought herself to be unattractive and undesirable. She wanted to, but decided not to go through with it. They were rich. Since then, she is supposed to have changed her name and left the state of California. But as she drove, she became frightened about how Kirsten might describe the evening to the other girls at school. I remember the day every girl attended school when the killer had been caught but we had no name; if they had to fly back, leave the hospital, watever, no girl wanted to be accused for even 24 hours even if they would be exonerated the next day or week. So she had a different view of Kirsten, Bern wasnt nice to of murdered. So could LP, I hear she dont get around much to to many places anymore, shes not in California. I liked School and I wasnt popular, but I still liked it. How tragic she was murdered over basically nothing. She runs a Facebook and Twitter account under the same name. If Bernadette respected Kirstens feelings, she would have left Kirsten alone when she fled Bernadettes car and wouldnt have stalked her to her house. No there were several girls bullied, but Bernadette wasnt one. for what i read the cheerleader was mean to bernadette protti,the cheerleader always thought she was prettier than bernadette and didnt want to be her friend.kirsten the cheerleader always hurt her feelings.have you seen the movie with tori spelling?death of the cheerleader. Another lesson is parents should not have kids too late in life. Not true, I have heard from people at Miramonte in the class of 1986 saying that they dont want to be found right now due to their experience at Miramonte was not good at all. 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I could call you out but I wont. If Bernadette hadnt of lied under false pretense she wouldnt of been so mad at her. If we all got along with everyone then it would be boring. That wasnt right, but when you run loose people think youre asking for it. As you have likely seen from Bernadette Protti's documentary, Kirsten Costas was murdered with a butcher knife out of jealousy by Bernadette Protti. I never saw her actually bully and some said they cant picture Kirsten ever being unkind Kirsten was loved by many very many. Kirsten wasnt a bully at all. Kirsten was Cute and so funny and bouncy and full of energy and Life. I agree bullying is so terrible but there wasnt much evidence that Kirsten was a bully apart from Bernadette saying Kirsten once mentioned that her ski boots looked cheap, I think Kirsten was a lesbian with a crush on Kirsten but was taking that secret to her grave. She wasnt interested in helping outcast kids, cause she wanted to be in, and she was popular to from my standpoint of view. If shed been bullied by Kirsten, seems like shed have told it in detail. It couldve been anyone, but kristen was the last one to get into the bobbies so she stood out. She didnt give examples because she wasnt bullied by Kirsten. She is paying for it like they said in her chess pie recipe. God would want you to forgive, Kirsten would as well. I just believe Bernadette pushed to hard on Kirsten and it weirded out. Her mother drove her to the sheriff's office, where she made a full confession. I was a 1985 highschool graduate.i had skipped a grade so my classmates were more mature physically and socially. Bernadette admired and idolized Kirsten, her schoolmate. Bernadette said Kirsten wanted to smoke pot first, a claim that drew cries of disbelief from Kirstens parents and friends. Teenagers killed each other for being bullied or cause they are lesbian? Sorry but the parents are to blame. Bernadette was described as homely. A lot of murder cases they get s light sentence or aquitted, but they also get harassed by the public and media so they dont get off all the way, the media torments them. Gregory Scott Cummins, film, television, and theater actor; NFL player. I believe she made a clumsy pass at Kirsten, or said something weird, and Kirsten got all freaked. Apparently the owner of the other blogs havent gave up, just busy. Death of a Cheerleader (Film) - TV Tropes Most of the Bobbies were Snooty. You that said Kirsten was mean, dont know her, or anything about her. I do believe she was real nice to those she did like and her friends. Bernadette, as described would have known that Kirsten would have thought it weird to be driving around with a butcher knife. The characters were loosely based on Kirsten and Bernadette. So bullies need to die. The motive: she feared that the murdered girl would tell other schoolmates she was weird. And for the love of Pete, its would HAVE, should HAVE, and could HAVE. Never wished Kirstens unfortunate death, she may of been misunderstood, but she never talked to me, neither did Bernadette. When the time was up, Elaine Protti read her daughters confession. They obviously made some bad decisions and theres repurcussions for your poor decisions, thats not Kirstens fault, you mad that decisions, not Kirsten. as bad as she wanted her friendship. Why are you so focused on what they looked like? I got cut off before I had a chance to say anything else. This Mats person youre either Bernadette, or sister, or a very good friend. Looking at the pictures, it is shocking to see that Kirsten Costas is the face of an innocent little girl. One thing is for certain, Bernadette has not had any serious run-ins with the law since her release from prison. Later, she would throw her T-shirt and sweatpants in the garbage dump of the Sleepy Hollow Swim Club. Was Bernadette fragile when she took Catechism classes with one of the accused girls and would have no doubt seen the emotional toll being falsely accused of murder would have taken on the girl, yet she acted like nothing was amiss. Whoever remotely tries to justify that must not have children. Bernadette will never escape her Image of what people have of her, no matter how Nice she becomes. If Bernadette isnt depressed it would be a Miracle. Rupaul This is Berns BFF or her Sister or Bern herself, no one else would go to such extend to call a dead girl names. 5 Horrific Murders (and the TV Movies made from them) She may live a Quiet life, but she is still a Killer. One girl here posted that one girl accused Football players of Sexual Assault at a Party and she was driven out of that School also. I never imagined she would literally kill Kirsten, cause Bernadette was so quiet and her demeanor said nothing about her being a killer at all. Thisb isnt about Columbine, its about the Kirsten Costas case. Hostile people do. Bridget is a shy outsider, who wants to be popular and beautiful. At 50 years old, I too have been bullied my whole life. She didnt hate anyone (as I said) just didnt like the way they acted. We all as teens said something smart to someone or hurt someones feelings. I hear one girl partied a lot that hung with them. Dont matter if the girl bullied her. So Kirsten was a Bully, no right to Justify Bernadettes actions. Even if she was, no right to murder her. I just dont understand cant people just be happy with what god has made them. Elaine called the school, and she and her husband brought their daughter to the sheriffs office in nearby Martinez. Those boys were wealthy and were far from bullied. I am really stunned that she only spent 8 years in jail. They might not win but they can make a case for smearing the name of their daughter if indeed she was not a bully. She did to, and Bernadette had fun with us as well. Theres way to much in Life than to be spending it chasing someone around over 30 years ago the justice system failed, its just pointless. Her parents were hard-working and respectable people, but Bernadette felt that they were too old and did not listen to her. She was friendly, but kind of Arrogant as well. Dont matter if Kirsten was a bully or the meanest girl ever, you haters on her leave her alone and let her Rest In Peace. She only had Certain friends. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. I dont know what to do. She could block it out of her mind (her words). Also, Im flattered by the attention you gave me on the blog. >> Whoever wrote this article is not being honest All of the pictures featured here are photos taken from newspapers, not the authors private collection. 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