It's based on the 1984 Bernadette Protti murder case in Orinda, California. Kirsten was immature and would have told people what had happened, Palmer explained. Anonymous Jan 2, 2019 at 5:20 pm. We cant all get along. In addition, Kristen was a high school student from the United States who was murdered in June 1984 by Bernadette Protti, a classmate. "I lost for cheerleader and I didn't get the club I wanted and I didn't get (on the) yearbook (staff)," Protti told law enforcement during a taped confession, which was later played at the teens murder trial. Brutal. The are laws for both. tiffany-300.jpg /. So comfortable that when she was interviewed three days after the murder, the police intimated to Nancy that her fellow classmates were pointing to her as the prime suspect. Adaptational Dye-Job: In Real Life, Kirsten Costas had brown hair, while her assailant Bernadette Protti was blonde. Peter et Kirsten Costas ont tous deux eu Orinda, en Californie, comme maison d'enfance. While Costas made the cheerleading team, Protti didn't. She legally changed her name and moved out of California for a fresh start. She paid her dues to the court system and I am sure she is now and always will for the remainder of her life. But those hours had happened and by 11pm, Kirsten was pronounced dead. Her classmate Bernadette Protti murdered Kirsten Costas in 1984, a cheerleader and multi-talented popular adolescent from Miramonte High School in California. One small good thing came out of it, and thats that the grades that were affected started treating each other a bit better, realizing that words can hurt. If anything, from other peoples accounts. Too bad there were not alternative/charter schools.A testament to not being a privileged little bitch in an affluent high school. Performance & security by Cloudflare. It starred Tori Spelling and Kellie Martin, along with several other actors who will have you saying, Where have I see that person before? and typing furiously into Google. What about now, dont think shes not exposed and embarrassed. Part 1: https://clickamericana.com/topics/featured/the-real-death-of-a-cheerleader-1985 Part 3: https://clickamericana.com/topics/featured/the-real-death-of-a-cheerleader-1985/3 Bernadette Protti had mental issues. Kirsten shouldve been grateful that someone went through all of this trouble just to get close to her. However there was no answer when she called. Isaiah 43:19 The speculation on whether or not this had anything to do with homosexuality, is asinine to say the least. Yet, when the FBI took over the case, they found that Protti, who was thought to have passed her initial lie detector test, was actually lying. After the guilty verdict, the students of Miramonte High decided Nancy was worthy of their friendship again. It sounds like the premise of a Lifetime movie (and, well, it is!) viewed 15 April 2017, People.com In a Deadly Explosion of Teenage Unhappiness, One Life Is Cut Short, Another Blighted by Murder She has since reportedly changed her name. That night, Bernadette told her mother they needed to talk, but Elaine Protti said she was tired. There was an issue submitting your request. http://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/17/us/16-year-old-is-held-in-killing.html Many witnesses were called, including one of Bernadettes sisters who explained the presence of the knife as one she used to cut up vegetables in the Pinto on her lunch breaks. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. And all suffer from some mental deficiency. Kirsten Costas, a 15-year-old teen living in the small suburban California town of Orinda, was stabbed to death by her classmate Bernadette Protti, then also 15, on June 23, 1984. A child took a wicked butcher knife and stabbed, not once, but 5 times a classmate. She was no nice girl according to many!! Born in 1968, she has lived half of her life as of now and is proceeding with a phony character to avoid her past and the misery that can bring into her life. I almost hate movies because it takes away from the facts of what really happened. None of this is normal behavior. They grow out of it, I was a teen its normal to be Snotty, it just comes Natural for most girls more than guys. function() { Bernadette wanted to befriend her, and Kirstin was not interested. If Kirstens friends wanted thier names told they would not of Altered them on 1980s Deadliest Decade, and changed thier Photo. Trending in reviews And I believe had children, not sure how many to be exact. Wrong, she was going to kill kirsten if she didnt agree. Unfortunately, Bernadette obviously had trouble controlling her anger and impulsivity. If you lived in Orinda, there was competition to be the best. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mimqcKHOi8Y, The 1980s: The Deadliest Decade S01E03 The Cheerleader Murder She was born in a wealthy house to her parents, Arthur and Berit Costas, and she had a brother named Peter, who grew up in the unassuming Californian suburb of Orinda. It was on a ski trip that Bernadette became the most keenly aware that she had not been truly accepted despite her inclusion as a Bobbie. Now a mother of two and wife to my beloved husband. Her parents were devout Catholics; her father was a retired public works officer and her mother a homemaker. Now that she had her foot in the door, surely all she had to do now was simply put her hand out. 2023 Campolindo High School along with the Acalanes Union High School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. During the trial Bernadettes confession was played in full, in which Bernadette retold her version indicating she had made an attempt to become a closer friend to Kirsten. The film became a TV movie phenomenon, according to entertainment news site Monsters and Critics. Nancy had once told Kirsten in front of others that if she didnt shut up Nancy would kill her. She needs help and if she didnt get any, she is still a threat to society. When girls like Costas torment/bully girls like Bernadette, the tormented can just flip. It is about time to take a sniff of your asses, because, it definitely smells like full bullshit! No one except for Kristen, Bernadette and God himself were there and knows what happened. Kirsten went up to a door and asked for a ride home. Tragic. 16-Year-Old Is Held in Killing - The New York Times I would rather die," according to CNN. D.M. According to, I would like to remain anonymous. Costas went to. [Protti] felt if Kirsten had told what she had done that it would be the end of her life.. Maybe late or mid 20 s for some. Death Of A Cheerleader: The Murder Of Kirsten Costa By Bernadette Protti But she was just 15 and had her whole life in front of her. The Costas family also moved away, relocating to Alaska. Her house was larger and bigger than Kirstens. Bernadette was jealous of Kirsten especially after Kirsten got into the cheerleading squad and a spot on the yearbook committee (Mrs. Palmer was wrong on that. And the one person whose acceptance meant so much [to Protti], the one she so desperately wanted to talk to, has tragically been silenced forever.. Once the rumour took off, Nancy was a virtual pariah, bullied every day for her role in Kirstens death. It was a big deal back then and wasnt accepted like it is now. literally. Later, she married her husband and is now officially known to the world as Jeannette Tomanka. On the 1st of April 1985, Bernadette Protti was found guilty of second-degree murder and was incarcerated for 9 years. Convicted killer found teaching at Iowa high school 259,650 views Oct 24, 2012 2.5K Dislike Share Save KCCI A scandal rocked an Iowa high school after a convicted killer hiding her identity is. Kirsten was like a puppy. Palmer recalls that Costas and Protti were in Moraga when Costas got out of the car. Bernadette Protti IS Jeannette Tomanka: Beautiful photo of Kirsten Costas Brittfromseattle Aug 12, 2016 at 9:29 am, Anonymous Aug 5, 2016 at 10:56 am. Why did Bernadette murder Kirsten, probably because she has deep mental issues that I hope she got help for while incarcerated. Protti had volunteered to drive her. Sad that she got to go on with her life under a new name.Should have made her keep her name,we all get jealous but murder is never the answer.But never the less she will have to answer to God when her time comes and Im sure she will be judged rightly. While her father's identity is not revealed, she has a sister called Virginia Protti. Protti fled the scene before anyone had seen her. If not them why did bernadette have this huge knife in hopes of only wanting to talk! Bernadette watched as Kirsten took all the success Bernadette believed. So maybe, that lesson had been learned. Ive ruined my life and yours and I dont know what to do and Im ashamed and scared. Yes, she couldve punched her or just avoid Kirsten the next day at school but Bernadette didnt want to be embarrassed and thats why she did it. Time limit is exhausted. Mysterygrandma Jul 24, 2021 at 5:55 pm. I wish Bernadette all the best. Bernadette Protti - Ladies' Handbook of Murder And now everyone was going to find out how weird she really was. Protti had been jealous of Costas, who was the daughter of affluent parents and very popular at Miramonte High School. Bernadette confessed to a priest who told her to tell her parents. She also . In the police station, she confesses and agrees to plead guilty for the murder of Kirsten. But, honestly, your theories are some of the stupidest. I feel for the Costa family. Or do you have too much material garbage stuck up your asses. Nicely written story, but many of the facts you stated are incorrect. I cant live unless you love me. The movie is based on the 1985 murder of Michele "Missy" Avila of Arleta, California, who drove off with her best friend, Karen . While the police reviewed the case using the profile, Berit and Arthur Costas hired a private investigator. If you were to read the Rolling Stones, People Magazine or Ladies Home Journal articles about the story you will find many of the flaws in your story and with what Sharon Palmer stated. The knife was huge. Its never too late for Jeanette to say, I killed someone and I have to live with that the rest of my life. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Her worst nightmare is with her for the rest of her life people judging her and most think bad of her and thats why she did it in the first place. However, there just didnt seem to be any one girl who stood out as likely to have committed the crime. Your brain might not be fully developed until age 25, but sadly I dont believe that a shitty personality at 15 will suddenly become a kind personality at 25. Had she been convicted today she would have received 30 years at a minimum. Bernadette saw her carefully cultivated outward persona crumbling with every passing mile as the two cars returned to Orinda city limits. I dont get why she only got 7 years. I lived in the Bay Area when this happened so I remember it. The judge indicated his concern about this during sentencing, stating that he hoped the trial had served a purpose more useful than as mere entertainment. Dont think so, Like I said, everyone would of grown up( including Kirsten) and it would of blown over long before now, and Bernadette would of been able to last it out. Only God decides where Bernadette will spend eternity. She and her mother even went for a lovely late evening walk. Please reload CAPTCHA. Kirsten was on the cheerleading camp that Bernadette herself was supposed to be enjoying at that moment. And besides that, shed passed a polygraph. Everyone can be forgiven and that isnt even the question. Hooray for Nancy. One of the students that appeared to epitomise Bernadettes definition of success was a girl in her year level called Kirsten Costas. [2] Costas attended Miramonte High School and was a member of the school's varsity swim team and the cheerleading squad. Palmer also recalled the presentation of the physical evidence. Bridget Moretti (Aubrey Peeples) is a shy outsider from a lower middle-class background who aspires to be beautiful, popular and perfect in everything, Lifetime states, describing the plot of the new version. viewed 15 April 2017, Los Angeles Times Girl, 16, Convicted in Classmates Slaying : Teen-ager Feared Victim Was Going to Tell People I Was Weird published 14 March 1985 They lived in a community where being the second best wasnt acceptable. She cant change the fact Kirsten in gone, and shes the one who killed her. The news spread rapidly throughout the community that someone had been arrested for Kirstens murder. None of you still know why. Kirsten Marina Costas & Bernadette Protti - Blogger She was sentenced to second degree murder as a juvenile (because she was one), not an adult. Her mother, Elaine Protti, was a homemaker, while her father was a retired public works officer. Bernadette Protti's home life was just fine, by all accounts. However, different forums say that they have completely changed their lives, moving into a different place with different identities. Well, guess what? The film "is inspired by Randall Sullivans Rolling Stone article of the same name about the real-life murder of a popular, affluent and beautiful Northern California high school cheerleader at the hand of a classmate, as Lifetime described it. Im glad that Bernadette is living her life and having a family. Bernadette Protti was released from prison in 1992 at the age of 23, whereupon she changed her name and left California. If all teen girls were to be Murdered over being a. But she had fallen out with them and, by the time Kirsten was murdered, Nancys animosity towards Kirsten was well known. Both were members of the swim team, but Costas was reportedly much more popular than Protti,according to the Associated Press in1984. Soon after, Elaine screeched to a halt in the school parking lot, where she found her daughter waiting. ); Her father Raymond was a retired public works officer, who taught Christianity in his spare time. During that time, the community experienced growing anxiety. She said she would collect Kirsten from the house at 6 pm. Last week we lost a very Dear and important person. Your email address will not be published. Im not going to feel bad for a girl who insulted and teased another girl. They made a few movies about it. [3] Case Unconventionality was scary to mainstream Orinda, and she was an easy target when the school population needed a scapegoat to blame for such a terrible crime. The fashion-conscious teen had noted Bernadettes track pants and faded jacket and deduced that the only party Bernadette was prepared for was a night in front of the tv with a bowl of popcorn. Where Is Angela Delvecchio Aka Bernadette Protti Today? Actress Kellie Under the circumstances, such a plea would seem like a fairly reasonable thing to do: due to Bernadettes age at the time of the murder, the sentence handed down would have been the same length regardless of whether the guilty verdict was for first or second degree murder. Anonymous Jul 23, 2019 at 8:32 am, Protti should have been in jail a lot longer then what she did she can not be trusted to stab someone because they wont be your friend I dont care what Kristen did Protti set her up and had full attention to kill her Protti is a disgusting human being I hope she rots in HELL I can just imagine what she teaches her children about life if u dont get what u want just kill them I hope Kristen is haunting her for the rest of her life Protti should be ashamed of herself, Carl Bailey Jun 23, 2019 at 5:29 pm. She made a pass at her. A rumour had been circulating since the funeral that the person responsible had attended to mourn. 72.10.35.84 Parents Know Their Children: Downplayed with Angela's parents. Costas screamed and somehow made her way to a different neighbors house where she died in that neighbors arms. So it seems not to be escaping from her. Kirsten staggered to the front door of the neighbours house and banged on the door. The maximum punishment for Bridget Moretti, also known as Bernadette Prott, was nine years, but she was freed on parole seven years later, in 1992, when she was 23. Miramonte was the only high school in the town, and a microcosm of the social world to the kids of Orinda. Time limit is exhausted. Kirsten Costas, a 15-year-old teen living in the small suburban California town of Orinda, was stabbed to death by her classmate Bernadette Protti, then also 15, on June 23, 1984. This is all old news and ancient history. Also does she think about what she done still or has blocked it out of her mind, can she sleep at night knowing the hurt she put another family through also her family as well. By this time, they had reached the town of Moraga. I do not think anything has changed but perhaps more [competition] and stress, Palmer said. He thought that he was seeing a fist fight, but in fact Protti stabbed Costas five times with a butcher knife and fled. If all Snooty teen girls were to die, then majority of them would never reach adulthood. Your donation will support the student journalists of Campolindo High School's The Claw. In the end she will answer to GOD regardless. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Also this movie is basically saying feel sorry for the girl who did MURDERED another girl ( in my opinion). P.S. In that moment, becoming a social outcast in a place like Miramonte High School was a fate worse than death. She was self absorbed and full of Confidence. How could anyone when this adorable, girl that everyone loved, got stabbed? Palmer explained that kids went out in groups, slept with lights on or even slept in their parents room as a result of the unsolved crime. Is Bernadette Protti still in jail? Even if so, no right to take her life. After reaching the house, the man asked if she needed him to stay, but Costas declined, claiming her neighbor was home, so it was fine. She called Raymond and all three met at the police station where Bernadettes confession was recorded. Teenage girl guilty of killing popular classmate - UPI Archives }, Small sentences were the way it was in the mud 20th century. I feel for both families no winners here. People have feelings to. Bernadette Protti Kirsten Marina Costas (July 23, 1968 - June 23, 1984) was an American high school student who was murdered by her classmate, Bernadette Protti. On 1st April 1985, Bernadette was sentenced. You are all as fake as ever. I doubt she was any worse than any other teen girl, I guarantee you she wouldnt of done what Bernadette did. Bernadette Prottis home life was just fine, by all accounts. I just have this feeling, Palmers daughter told Palmer. Bernadette Protti was released from prison in 1992 at the age of 23 and reportedly left California, and changed her name. Grabbing a knife from the rear passenger seat (I assume that 18 inch knives were standard issue in 1980s model Ford Pintos) Bernadette made her way towards Kirsten, meeting her on the front lawn of Kirstens neighbours house. Kirsten Marina Costas (1968-1984) - Find a Grave Memorial The first is a case of high school jealousy. But noooo.. Kirsten was a superficial bitch who thought she was to good to be friends with Bernadette. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 'Death of a Cheerleader' Is Based on This Chilling Story - Distractify Bernadette Protti also went to Miramonte High School, along with Kirsten. Nancy fit the stereotype, and Orindas residents were comfortable with this. Hear about the real crime that Alexey's favorite Lifetime movie is based off, as well as a tasting from a delightful coffee birthday gift! The daughter of affluent parents, Arthur and Berit Costas, she and her brother, Peter, grew up in the small suburban town of Orinda, Californi Whatever the truth, Kirsten screamed at her that she was being weird. I hope she suffers. Her sister had the knife in the car for work and [Protti] knew where it was., In 1985, author Rob Haeseler wrote TheSan Francisco Chronicle article, Trial Hears Girls Confession of East Bay Slaying. It reported that Protti only wanted to hurt Costas. Meanwhile, Costas' parents vehemently opposed Protti's release. Bernadette was never considered a suspect, Palmer said. setTimeout( She would do anything to be popular even kill, a tagline for the movie stated, according to IMBD. The 2014 film Mean Girl Murderer Case, depicts two girls who kill a friend when they fear she knows about their lesbian relationship. Murder of Kirsten Costas explained So no they dont want thier names exposed. . She was ordered to remain in custody on a murder charge, said Deputy. I remember that night so vividly. According to Bernadette, they sat in the car for 40 minutes, with Kirsten offering her marijuana. The movie is based on the real-lifecase of cheerleader Kirsten Costas, who was stabbed to death by her jealous classmateBernadette Protti. I have often wondered what has happened to Bernadette, did she ever have children and if she did had she told them what she had done? What's The True Story Behind Lifetime's Remake Of 'Death Of A slated to air February 2 at 8/7c on Lifetime. She wanted to live in a home with a manicured lawn, and she also wanted to have all of the latest expensive trinkets just like the Costases, according to People. She didnt care about the consequences morally. We go through phases in our early teens and late teens to early 30 s we still have it somewhat. He told me his mom heard the shrieks from Kirsten as she staggered across the street tot he Hill residence, where she collapsed and died upon opening of the front door. We only have opinions. If the prosecution accepted this, it would save the county a lot of money that they could then spend on more important things. It was not jealously! . She is very likable, has a very likable . Her parents were hard-working and respectable people, but Bernadette felt that they were too old and did not listen to her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g61Ud0qeE, Bernadette Protti documentary I would worry more about yourselves, and making sure you live a decent life because it does not seem half of you even are righteous in any way!! Kirsten would likely have had no clue of the effect her words and actions were having on her fellow classmate. Alexander offered to drive her home.