As Kirsten headed towards her house from Alex's car, she spotted Bernadette on the street and headed towards her. By education I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man; body, mind and spirit. ~ Mahatma Gandhi. I didnt know Kirsten that well, talked to her a few times in passing but we didnt know each other. I was born with common sense. Kirsten was a straight A student and involved in activities, she wanted to run with top kids. So youre justifying Murder due to bullying? You have those girls in all schools, you just go on and leave them be, and hang with your own friends. People make their own reputation and choices in life whether they are bad or good. Bernadette had tried for the cheerleading squad as well but had not made the cut. Repeats itself, repeats itself, repeats itself, ugh. You took the life away from this poor girl and her family. I read a lot of nice things about Kirsten as well, so she couldnt of been all that bad. Death of a Cheerleader is one of the most famous movies of real-life murder cases involving cheerleaders. Shame on you. Kirstens mother was trying not to get sick. Very, very mean. Ultimately, it took the police around six months to capture the killer. Why deliberately refrain from giving examples if she could have been accused of first degree murder? Although the attack was witnessed by Alex Arnold, he could not see the killers face, and chasing the killers Pinto did not yield results. Everybody who knew her just loved her well most everybody. How is obsessing over this going to solve the problem? . They made that clear and so did she Every single day. However, things got weird when Kirsten realized that Bernadette's invitation was of a second-hand nature, and she wouldn't want to go to a party where she wasn't invited first-hand. Shes the Victim. She was then driven to an empty car- park at night and was justifiably angry with Bernadette over it. She was convicted in 1985. She acted like Kirsten except Kirsten was (more funny). When Kirsten approached the Pinto she looked inside and said blandly, Oh, its you.. Although Kirsten was surprised to find out that it wasn't one of her friends as expected, she obliged and got into the car. Others are not so lucky. Maybe her parents should have raised her better. As for the girls who got blamed, so sorry if your lives were miserable at the time, but remember Bernadette was scared herself and did t know what to do, she didnt aim for all that to come down. She always loved Cheerleading. Kirsten is better looking than bernadette, because Kirsten facial features are in proportion with her face.. bernadette is not. And yes Bernadette has enough problems, and theres Virus out there Worldwide that is killing people all over, and Rioters rioting in streets keeping the Virus alive, that is what the World needs to focus on today. Her parents were hard-working and respectable people, but Bernadette felt that they were too old and did not listen to her. Kirsten loved playing Nancy Drew, she and her friends were crazy, I would tell them, I got to put up with you guys today. According to The Los Angeles Times, Protti was sentenced to a juvenile prison for 7 years. She was friendly, but kind of Arrogant as well. Bernadette protti longed to be popular and she decided to kill an innocent person just because she couldnt have things get way.thats sad. She talked to most people. The tale is wonderfully woven, with twists and turns. Pre-meditation seems sensible between the clothes and the knife. Was she snotty to? Move on. Some 86 graduate girls felt ridiculed and belittled by them as well as I did and others. Yes Kirsten May of been Snooty, but she was also adorable to those who knew her. Youve got to be kidding right?! We should educate our children, our minds and our souls. Give me an example. You are full of it. [Bernadette] had plenty of time to change her mind. The Costases charged that Bernadettes confession was riddled with lies that no one would use an eighteen-inch knife to cut a tomato and that Bernadette, casually dressed, never planned on taking Kirsten to a party. justice was nwot served and the costas have shed tears and felt grief for over 30 years and i think bernadette shouldnt have been given the privelege to go to college, get her high school diploma, have a boyfriend, and then have kids and get married no she should have been locked in a brick cell staring at walls all day so that she could focus on what she did but no she is scott free now to go out and kill again if she wants. The real death of a cheerleader story (1985), PS: If you liked this article, please share it! Do I think it was premeditated. I do believe she had some she didnt like, (but who didnt)! This girl wanted to be accepted but was met with several failures, including failing to make the yearbook staff. The characters were loosely based on Kirsten and Bernadette. 60+ of your favorite vintage breakfast cereals from the 60s, See how vintage drugstores 100 years ago sold lots of things you cant (legally) buy anymore, https://www.facebook.com/kirstenmarina.costas.9, Vintage Fashion from the 1960s adult coloring book: 50 pages of retro 60s clothing for women, Groovy Fashion of the 70s: Vintage Women Coloring Book #10, Vintage Homes Adult Coloring Book #2: Classic Victorian Houses, Something Old: Vintage Wedding Dress Fashion Look Book, Classic Cars Adult Coloring Book #2: Vintage 1920s Automobiles (1920-1929), Vintage brick fireplaces: Warm & wonderful home decor from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Disneyland in the 1980s: See the magical theme parks rides, attractions & maps, 70s hot pants were a brief (literally!) Her family was not the same. Too bad Bernadette couldnt see that.. Sarah, well, MURDER IS NOT AN OPTION!! Bernadette tried her best to forge a friendship under false pretenses and you Justify her actions, you must either be Bernadette or her sister, or a close friend or Relative. Living in orinda back in the 80s&90s was no easy task if you indidnt wear the right clothes or drive the nice brand new car you wernt shit . This is what can happen when you are a bully. Thisb isnt about Columbine, its about the Kirsten Costas case. Your point is irrelevant and has absolutely nothing to do with the case. Player, 2004. You are disturbing and evil by stating that death was too good for Kirsten, an innocent victim of a brutal murder. I think she had a crush on Kirsten and was terrified of Kirsten telling everyone she was a lesbian. Some she didnt like, Usually the ones no one else (liked). If Kirsten was so mean, why didnt Bernadette just stay away from her? It was on the Murder still haunts Moraga Residents. It tells the true story of Bernadette Protti and Kirsten Costas. One of her relatives I asked how to get ahold of her, and they said she dont want to be bothered with anyone at all from her past, coworkers, former schoolmates and former friends, outside of family she dont want to talk to anyone. She once told Kirsten to shut up in biology and thats why everyone thought shed done it. Kirsten was a cute sweet looking little thing. I didnt kill them. Even if you werent rich, if you were smart and acted sensible you were accepted. We werent in the same grade I was one year ahead of her she acted as if she was better. Every Murdered person was once someones child, parent, sibling or spouse. She mostly liked everybody. She doesnt even want any former BFFs knowing her location anymore. There have been a couple people in my youth that I thought were extremely mean to me. According to a court report dating back to 1985, these were some of the traits her cold-hearted . She was mercilessly cruel to anyone who was nothing like her although death in my opinion was far too good for her or any other bully. Judging from your comments you clearly have sided with Bernadette, so why contradict yourself? Learn how your comment data is processed. You knew Kirsten. We had honor students who were kind of poor, but we loved them, and learned from them. But Miramonte was what you made of it, I wasnt Popular, but I got along esp, with Kirsten and her group. It was quite a bizarre turn of events that shocked the small community where such grizzly crimes never happened. Everything is Me! I never saw her actually bully and some said they cant picture Kirsten ever being unkind Kirsten was loved by many very many. Police said today 15-year-old Kirsten Costas thought she was going to a sorority-like initiation the night she was stabbed to death just a few yards from her Orinda home. She did have money, dont let that other Mats tell you any different. However, Bernadette's babysitting alibi went unverified. She was Popular, and, she was also nice at times, she just was Stuck on herself. So Bernadette helped her out to gain acceptance. I got cut off before I had a chance to say anything else. There was one that wrote in the1986 alumni that she wasnt desiring to be found cause the 4 years at Miramonte wasnt the best for her. It all started with Bernadette inviting Kirsten to a party, which the latter was unaware of. She couldnt of been or she never would of killed, and watch the town accuse 2 Innocent girls and harrass,them over it. Its possible its someone pretending to know Kirsten. Those girls arent that way as I said, they still get together on Occasion and all and are fine Adult Women. Get yourself checked out! Calling her a B and saying she dressed nice in an interview. Bernadette killed Kirsten out of Jealousy, not Bullying. Bernadette then stalked Kirsten all the way to her house, ambushed her from behind with a 15/18 inch knife, inflicted Kirsten with two two foot wounds down her back and continued to stab Kirsten when she was suffering on the ground with her wounds. She is in her 50s currently, and it seems like she has gotten a fresh start at life. Guys just didnt really notice her. So could LP, I hear she dont get around much to to many places anymore, shes not in California. She never meant harm, as for Bernadette, Kirsten sometimes teased her, and she would be nice to her to, she just was angry for being lured out under false pretense to attend a so called party, and when Bernadette told her feeling about Kirsten, it freaked her out, she spotted something immediately, and she was right. She claimed she followed in the Pinto only to make sure Kirsten got home safely. She dared to say she could not commit suicide because her religion would not allow it, but did not take into consideration the life of Kirstens! I isolate now due to the fact women have betrayed me so badly. 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. Her BFF said the same exact thing abour Kirsten Bernadettes parents were devout Christians (Catholics). The original movie featured stars like Kellie Martin and Tori Spelling. They probably rubbed her the wrong way, or got on her nerves somehow. I think she made a pass and got rejected. To much at stake in the World than to be worrying about something that happened decades ago. There was no teasing and ostracisation. Kirsten was adorable. I just believe Bernadette pushed to hard on Kirsten and it weirded out. You get on here and write comments all day long, repeating yourself over and over and over again. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Who could have stabbed popular, beautiful cheerleader Stacy to death? I live minutes from Columbine Highschool and you have absolutely no clue. Karen, keep repeating the same Comment over and She slaughtered a girl. Maybe she did say some things that you didnt like, but for real! Kirstens house was Smaller than Bernadettes, how was Kirsten all around was she friendly? Bernadette made a horrible decision by ending a girls life, if she left her alone, B wouldnt be in the mess she got herself in, she kept pushing for her friendship. Kellie Martin played the role masterfully. I dont even think she was there when that all went down. 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. My Son was Murders in a drug deal gone wrong. The movie really leaned toward Bernadette being seen by Kirsten and others as less of a person. Whats been done has been done. Bernadette deserved the same sentence as would any get it doesnt matter even if she was a juvenile at the time she.should have been trialed as an adult. Bernadette joined the Bobbies, a volunteer group created to organize fundraisers and other charitable events. She was jealous of Kirsten and wanted to be everything Kirsten was, but could nt so she killed her. Kristen had it well deserved in response to someone else, which suggests that you think her cruel murder was justified. I never seen her make fun of anyone, of course, I wasnt around her that much, but she was friendly and nice. 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. Also, she noticed a knife in the car, but Bernadette brushed it off by stating that her sister keeps it there to cut vegetables and fruits. The only apparent witness to the killing told reporters that he and his wife were playing pinochle in their home with neighbors in nearby Moraga when Kirsten, looking frightened, came to their door and asked to use the phone to call her parents. From the author who also runs this site: The yearbooks ARE in my private collection, as is the huge picture of us in Washington DC. Kirstens family and Berns family were both Well off, Bern lived in a Richer part. Shame on you Bernadette what you did was morose, and against your entire religion and you stabbed Kirsten to death. Lemme tell all of you a little something because I lived and breathed the entire lifestyle of growing up in orinda and knew both Bernadette and kirsten. I mean she stabbed another girl to death because she was afraid to get made fun of at school or be outed or whatever. Everyone says this school is so boring, so they start doing things for entertainment. My kid knows better than to bully others. They were ususally strange. The Los Angeles County Coroner determined he had committed suicide. It could have been antisocial Goth girl Monica, it could've been angst-ridden Jill--or maybe it was the plain girl nobody suspected. Yes, Death of a Cheerleader is based on a true story. Bernadettes own parents turned her in. She didnt bully Bernadette either. (Yes at times) Kirsten teased Bernadette, but they were still mutually acquainted Bernadette never could figure out why she thought she was a Bullied failure. Kirstens future was right there in front of her staring her in the face, like the prom, graduation and deciding what College she would of been going to and getting married and having Children. Wish someone who knew facts would tell us about the real events leading up to Kirstens death. I think Bernadette went about it in the wrong way. Shed tried, and been accepted as part of the schools cheerleading squad, and had joined the Bobbies, an elite sorority-like club made up of the 30-35 most beautiful and popular girls in the school. We had our own group, and we didnt really talk much to them, (other than hello) Some of those kids there that were misfits, hate to tell you, some of them werent Angels They dressed rough and acted (Bad) and cussed. Being disgusted with a murderer and defending a murder victim? I think its time to move forward and put this whole horrible deal behind you cause life is way to short. Others suffer more cause they experience the loss. What was the most heart wrenching about this was a classmate girl was blamed and attacked by certain people for killing Kirsten, obviously she didnt. Those bullied girls like I said were loose or cussed and smoked and (dressed roughly).. Sad. If Kirsten was going to out Bernadette, she would of told Alex Arnold all about her, and the Conversation. She was also a very good student who did well academically in school. Kirsten wasnt obligated to helping those people, sometimes it has to be done on your own! Like I said, Ms.Stuff, D and Beauty and the Beast, today could be the Life of the Party if they wanted to be. Kirsten was, and classmates mostly said she was a free fun spirit with a big heart and love for life. She let 2:girls take the blame. I dont think she intended to kill Kirsten, I believe she was desperate for a friendship and pushed to hard at it, and when she realized she made a fool out of herself, to became to much for her to handle and she did the (unthinkable). Kellie Martin played the role masterfully! Kirsten Costas, who had just finished her sophomore year at Miramonte High School in this scenic, affluent suburb, was killed at about 10pm Saturday, Contra Costa County . There is no way Bernadette is better than Kirsten. She just acted Odd a lot. It seemed like Bernadette needed intense psychotherapy for her issues. If Bernadette was so Sweet, why did she watch 2 girls take the blame? No, it is about love, people. I had to deal with people like Kirsten in high school. ClickAmericana.com is made with and by Synchronista LLC 2011-2022. I think Kirsten probably threatened to tell everybody their bizarre conversation in the car that night. But first, let us briefly tell you what its about. I had an English class with Kirsten and her friends, we were all put in pairs in order to read off as part of a project, Kirsten and them just acted as though I was invisible and everyone in our group (but me) got to read a part. You got kids in all school people try to duck away from and avoid. Dylan and Eriks parents were loaded. Finally, after being initiated by the Larks, Angela and the other girls go off driving looking for guys to kiss. I think you take things way to personal like Bernadette did, I believe MissKiwi Bernadette took things so serious that it became serious and a fatal obsession. Most teen girls are smart alecky and mean. Thats how she probably got associated with not liking people who didnt fit in. Find out more here. It gave me the creeps. Notably, it was Bernadettes own confession that sealed the case against her. 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. Senseless. Im sure you were a big Smart Aleck. She is still Crazy as always. You have no idea what you are talking about with Columbine. Read the facts of the case instead of perpetuating lies that Kirsten pushed Bernadette or that she bullied Bernadette. You copied your little story from some other website. Melissa Womer: children, Jim Carrey, net worth, latest updates. So whoever wrote Miramonte was a bad school and everyone cut everyone down, maybe it was you cause you werent socially accepted, and probably didnt make the best choices, or embarrassed yourself wanting the attention and. I only talked to We bought a do up property. Upper middle class at least. If you werent Popular she looked down on you just as bad as Kirsten did. No one owes anyone a thing. Eventually, the FBI pinned the murder on Bernadette Protti, who was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to nine years in prison. Well to a degree maybe, but Bernadette stalked her and longed fro a friendship. Probaly the one who gave details on all those bullied girls at Miramonte. Her biggest desire was to be liked and succeed, just like Kirsten. She had taken Kirsten out in her car, where the latter felt that Bernadette had gone weird. Berit and Bob Costas live in Hawaii. Nobody was all that nice to each other because that was the culture parents included even more so than the kids. No more Bernadette has a point. Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety. But for the most part Kirsten got along with mostly everyone. She should of just beat her up, that would of stopped her. She was young and like any teen finding her way around. Others are not so lucky. No in the documentary where the new wave girl was actually interviewed, she ACTUALLY said I want you dead and to see your blood drip Her own words in the interview on true crime via Amazon Prime she said those EXACT words. Seriously, whats wrong with you? 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Bernadette Protti also went to Miramonte High School, along with Kirsten. She loved to play Nancy Drew. Growing up there for me was different, I got along with people, and didnt try so hard being popular. Just because the Costas had millions of dollars and Are socialites Of the upper class community Does not give their family the right to treat others like dirt. And she killed her because she was jealous and that she would have been humiliuated if Kirsten told people at school that she was admiring her. I think she wanted to be part of the elite click. I lost for cheerleader. So think before you get that angry cause there is no turning back from it. The Californian, Salinas, California Monday, June 25, 1984. We have got you covered when it comes to the true story behind Death of a Cheerleader. Bernadette also idolized Kirsten and her clique, while being severely unhappy with the state of her family and home. People who grew up in Orinda and say its snobs were mostly people who werent socially accepted growing up, and they made choices that others didnt make and cussed and talked dirty and skipped school and always in trouble, and hung out with outcasts, and they became outcasts by association. Kirsten doesnt look much better than she. Understanding her background would likely provide more insight into the unfortunate event. Bernadette was snotty to. 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. Material on this site is provided for education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. Being disgusted with the the murderers nonchalant behaviour after her brutal crime? B was a Psycho and always will be. But those others today are still a lot of fun. Who cant see that part? None of those Orinda kids are even around from that time frame, as some of them are dead. The girl that stole her life from her shouldve never been released from prison. 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. Shes grown up a lot and isnt the same teen girl she use to be. And not a fuckn psycho. The kids went to Miramonte High 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. Word was that girls were safe because raping a girl is irresponsible and could get them fired because girls could get pregnant and priest need to bring money in, not pay out for 18 years. That Dee if it is who I think she was always in trouble and never listened. The Judge felt sorry for her, and felt that the Community was using her trial as entertainment purposes and amusement. They were more aquainted than you think. Unless any of these people commenting knew these girls personally and their families, they dont have a place to judge either one of these girls who lived this tragic event. One of the most popular girls attending the Miramonte High School in Orinda, Calif., Costas was envied for her beautiful looks and privileged background. It weirded Kirsten out. She may have tried to point the blame towards Nancy and Joanna but it backfired on her, Joanna comes to Reunions, as Bernadette cant cause it will never ever be forgotten. Costas, a Miramonte cheerleader, was murdered by fellow student Bernadette Protti in June of 1984. As I wrote in a previous comment to you above rupaul/joy, if there was evidence of Kirsten bullying Bernadette, she would have given examples which would have strengthened her case and possibly portrayed her as a sympathetic character. One version is that she was so good and bullied and another that she is a monster prepare to kill just like that? She wasnt into that game. If Bernadette killed Kirsten because she was bullied and put down by her, why didnt she give examples at her trial which would have strengthened her case? No right to murder. There were a lot of girls at Miramonte they didnt like or fit in, they ran them all out, not just Nancy, she wasnt alone, neither was Joanna, but they act like they were the only victims there. No excuse for what she did, BTW she was not the poor White trash the Movie deployed her to be, she had a nice home, and was just as well off as Kirstens family, lived on the better side of town. So dont feel Sorry for her. Still, Bernadette said in her confession that she and Kirsten drove to the church parking lot to smoke the pot, but when Bernadette refused, an argument followed. I was the daughter of a single mom who was a teacher. So was PC, DM, LP and Kirsten. IN REALITY, Kristen was, at worst, sometimes catty to Bernadette. I dont understand why you sympathize with a murderer and perpetuate lies about her murder victim under different aliases. She sought refuge at her friends' house, Alex and Mary Jane Arnold. Hostile people do. Youre no better than Bernadette haters as well. Not true, you said you knew Bernadette and Kirsten both! The school is planning a memorial that will likely be held Sunday night on the Miramonte campus. It doesnt sound as if Kirsten bullied Bernadette, other than the one comment about her ski gear. She wasnt a fan of ( stupidity) by any means at all. Sorry about that. But you are not making her case by behaving like a bully yourself. Bernadette was also plagued by body-image issues. Parent blaming is so ridiculous in this case but, if any parents are to blame, maybe its bernadettes . A cheerleader was found dead, and with the investigators having little to go on, they brought in the FBI, who made some astounding revelations. Nope! To suggest that Kirsten deserved what happened to her because she didnt appreciate the fact that Bernadette lied to her to get her out of her house under the pretence of a bobbies initiation dinner, is very, very sick and evil and I hope for the sake of others around you that you are on some sort of medication because you appear to have issues. Kirsten had an Engaging type Personality, that Movie was off, and (Pro Bernadette). Kirsten was lured out of her house under false pretences to a bobbie (sorority) dinner that didnt exist by someone she wasnt friends or even acquaintances with. I never seen her bully. Karen, it wasnt about Bullying, it was over jealousy issues. GG was the mutual friend of Kirsten and Bernadette, GG doesnt want anything to do with Bernadette again ever. Im sorry but I disagree. I think Kristen called Bernadette out on being a lesbian. Me! Well it is best to not bother the girl anymore sick or not, cause she moved on and so did the Costas family, so why keep the fuel burning, its just best to let folks live their lives. She was warm, she was engaging, she was dynamic. Bernadette then said she wanted to go home and think, and Hilley agreed. Like Missy Availa a girl said Missy was the meanest girl she ever met, and her worst bully ever. Thank God Im out of high school now and dont have to deal with all that social crap. She and her BFF were both Odd.