Bernadette followed and attacked her with a kitchen knife, stabbing her five times, before fleeing. Karen, it wasnt about Bullying, it was over jealousy issues. Both were members of the swim team, but Costas was reportedly much more popular than Protti, according to the Associated Press in 1984. Shame on such a post you wrote! Please explain how Bernadette was pushed to the brink? "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. Its possible they forgave her and moved on. 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. Was Kirsten and her friends a lot of fun to hang with, and did they party? Bernadette Protti is an American of Italian descent, born on September 20, 1968. Theyre not up with Morbid fascinations due to all the stuff that is going on Worldwide today. As I also wrote to you in a previous comment, judging from your malicious, reprehensible comments and utter ignorance and delusion, your moral fiber is rotten to the core, and I pity any child subjected to your skewed guidance as their moral fiber will no doubt succumb to decay. Here we go again. Lifetime manages to dramatically portray yet another vicious crime, so the viewers are left amazed at the depths of human depravity and the darkness of human minds, even if it is a 15-year-old girl. We arent all made to be popular. To much pressure is put on us, but we dont murder because of it. According to The Los Angeles Times, Protti was sentenced to a juvenile prison for 7 years. Besides if Kirsten was going to out her, she would of told Alex Arnold all about it on the drive home. As I said, Kirsten was Conceited, and Stuck up, but not no Bully. What about its about time, the one who knew Kirsten? Well she had her Spirits and was funny ( if not funnier) like that. ORINDA (KPIX) -- The day after a deadly house fire killed a 16-year-old girl at her home in Orinda, friends and family on Monday were remembering her as a vivacious young woman who could light up a room. That was all taken from her, so unfair. Kirsten from what I heard was arrogant and self absorbed, but no bully, just a typical teen girl who didnt deserve to die even if she was a bully. Shes grown up a lot and isnt the same teen girl she use to be. Asking a butt of yourself getting it. If she does go back there its only to see her family who is still there, and she wont leave The Whole time shes there or contact a soul. Sorry but the parents are to blame. I wouldnt have either. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. She didnt like their ways mostly. Even if her friend was bullying dont give right to take life. I couldnt tell you if she was a snob or not. Others didnt want any part of them cause Orinda kids want to be liked and accepted, and if you hang out with kids who arent you make yourself and outcast to. Bernadette was homely; Kirsten was pretty. Growing up there for me was different, I got along with people, and didnt try so hard being popular. She was warm, she was engaging, she was dynamic. But it wasnt a big fallout, just words between them.. Karen, where are you? 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. Another blog claims that Bernadette is a nurse and medical writer, well known for writing for a publicized scientific journal. I was a 1985 highschool graduate.i had skipped a grade so my classmates were more mature physically and socially. You the one who told about the girls ran out of Miramonte as well. She may live a Quiet life, but she is still a Killer. Bernadette had no reason to murder, shes just a cold blooded killer. Teenagers killed each other for being bullied or cause they are lesbian? Youre going off a moviea fictionalized account. That night, Bernadette told her mother they needed to talk, but Elaine Protti said she was tired. Those girls arent that way as I said, they still get together on Occasion and all and are fine Adult Women. I heard also Kirsten was just Self Absorbed to, but not a Bully. She had a circle of friends, Kirsten was more popular though. She was Bubbly and Gregarious, loved to have a great time. Required fields are marked *. Now that you know, have fun looking around! So youre justifying Murder due to bullying? True if no one liked you she didnt either she was nasty to some people. She didnt bully Bernadette either. But as she drove, she became frightened about how Kirsten might describe the evening to the other girls at school. Bernadette went to school. We have got you covered in that regard. Kirsten ran from Bernadettes car and wanted to be left alone, yet Bernadette stalked Kirsten to her house. Not saying Kirsten and Missy were Saints, but we all Bully and been Bullied. and sexy fashion fad, Print Color Fun: Free coloring pages & more fun for kids, Quotes Quotes Quotes: 1000s of clever & inspiring quotations, FindersFree.com: Find answers to lifes little questions. Can you give examples of Kirsten degrading others and thinking she is better than everyone? Kirsten wasnt a bully. Neither does a lot of former classmates. They went to parties or ran off with guys, guys had no right to take advantage of them, yes it was wrong, but they put themselves in that situation to where it could of been prevented. "Her smile; you couldn't miss her smile. Not youre so called Sweet friend Bernie. Police and friends are still perplexed about a brutal killing that so far has no suspect or motive only a pretty and popular 15-year-old victim. Kristen was a total bully, just horrible. Kirsten was described as a cheerful girl by classmates, and I do believe for the most part, she got along with most her classmates and school mates. Even if Missy and Kirsten were Bullies bo reason to Murder them. First published on November 19, 2018 / 6:32 PM. Knowing you though youll never have the character or the balls to do this and that was the reason you arent in whatever popular grip you killed to try to get into. Im sure she dont really like Bernadette, and she wouldnt go out to dinner with her, or have her over for dinner or go places with her, and welcome her with open arms. Wish someone would come back on here and tell us more about it. She loved to play Nancy Drew. This girl lives in San Francisco and knows a person who knows someone who knew Kirsten. Like I said, Bernadette is shady. Of course, the story was national news, and considering it is more than three decades later, people are wondering about the convicted culprit. Bernadette also idolized Kirsten and her clique, while being severely unhappy with the state of her family and home. She made it sound like this was a drug-related murder, and it wasnt, says Berit Costas. Most teen girls are smart alecky and mean. Three months later, residents of Orinda packed a local courtroom for her trial. I know some fragile ppl, and theyd kill themselves before someone else. And How!!! Well based on the movie Yeah, thats your problem. 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. That still wasnt Kirstens fault. Shes obviously mentally ill . Kirstens friends who said she was nice, well they were all in some (Clique) and stuck together and helped one another out. Skylar Neese: The tragic story of the teen murdered by her friends. If not, I doubt she worries about the past. She lived big. There was no jury in the trial. Bernadette May of been misunderstood to, I thought she was Snooty to. Landscape Suicide 1986 is the closest after Bernadettes interview with the Police it shows it. A number of people have called saying they think they have seen the suspect. What have internet sleuths found out? Like Missy Availa a girl said Missy was the meanest girl she ever met, and her worst bully ever. I dont see how Kirsten was worse than any teenage girl. I pray Bernadette is repayed and rewarded by the Blessed Trinity for the horrendous act towards the Costas. Yes the Homecoming Queen said nice things about Kirsten, but she was at the (top) and Kirsten liked those people. Thats different, and usually those were the ones that were irritating and annoying. I just believe Bernadette pushed to hard on Kirsten and it weirded out. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I honestly thought Bernadette wouldve looked worse. I was the daughter of a single mom who was a teacher. Well as I said its like that in any School, I think high school is a setting where everyone is competing and wanting to race tot he top and cut down anyone who gets in thier way. I have been watching The Cheerleader Murder on my iPhone for a few years now, and one of the lines was, Bernadette was part of the in crowd, but she didnt see it! Its a circle, says another. 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. Love indeed. Some 86 graduate girls felt ridiculed and belittled by them as well as I did and others. 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 also in terms of outdated cultural depictions and social values. She served her jail sentence, got released early and is living an everyday life today. Rest In Peace Kirsten. This is what can happen when you are a bully. Material on this site is provided for education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. I believe the conversation was very bizarre to, about desperation of a friendship. Like I said, Ms.Stuff, D and Beauty and the Beast, today could be the Life of the Party if they wanted to be. Bernadette admired and idolized Kirsten, her schoolmate. For one, some of Heather Cranes former classmates have started speaking to Heather again. In real life, Bernadette Protti almost got away with murdering Kirsten Costas, but ultimately ended up confessing to the crime. All Rights Reserved. As any 15 year old would.even today in 2015. Kirsten was angry for her lying to get her out under false pretenses, and she knew something was off. She looked like Kirsten with her curly hair, and the Life of the Party like Kirsten. That way she would of learned and been afraid, no she took the Coward Way out and Murdered, and Bernadette was chasing after Kirsten. Ms Bunch and McDonald (proving I knew them) were not mean like that just self absorbed. Bernadette had tried for the cheerleading squad as well but had not made the cut. You are disturbing and evil by stating that death was too good for Kirsten, an innocent victim of a brutal murder. So RuPaul,Kelly and Sarah, you all need to get facts before you say Kirsten got what she deserved. I guess we all cant like everyone. Bernadette had devised an ingenious plan to win over Kirsten. I guess Bullying Justifies Murder, the way youre putting it, Kirsten is the real Vicitm, not Bernadette. Several spectators at the trial were moved by the ninety-minute confession. I was raised to treat others with respect. She only had Certain friends. I was wondering why she was so pro-Bernadette. We are all different. I watched the movie again (both versions) and I have to agree with Miss Kiwi. You never give examples of what Kirsten did. I do believe she didnt like outcasts like Nancy and Joanna there. Kirsten was a Bully, I had heard she was,, and heard she wasnt and it was hard to picture her as a Bully. That movie was terrible and blamed the victim for her own murder. Im sure Kirsten had her moments, no right to be Savagely Murdered. If you werent Popular she looked down on you just as bad as Kirsten did. I just dont understand cant people just be happy with what god has made them. This is page 3 of 3 (Click here to go back to page 1 or to page 2), On December 11, Bernadette was called in for an interview with Ron Hilley, a young FBI agent assisting in the case. What teen isnt? On top of this, her house was a bit dilapidated. Bullies should get their a** whooped not killed just because they dont want to be friends with someone. She apparently moved again and left the medical field, probably because her real name and location was outed by amateur internet detectives. I read a lot of nice things about Kirsten as well, so she couldnt of been all that bad. 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. Although Bernadette had been questioned and cleared via a polygraph test, a private detective hired by the Costas found discrepancies in her alibi. She talked to most people. I dont care if she was only 15, murder is murder and she should have been locked away for far longer. I hear she isnt a nurse any longer and just stays home mostly. The knife was her sisters for making lunch it was even in the movie that way. Kirsten went to strangers, wanting to be dropped off home. Students at Miramonte High School in Orinda, whose social acceptance Bernadette Protti craved, said yesterday she should be kept in prison for a long time. So she could never uplift Bernadette at all. These stories chronicle the immediate news reports that detailed the crime, the communitys shock, the victims funeral, and discusses some of the police work that was involved in the effort to find the killer and to understand her motive. Kristen was adorable. To bad Kirsten didnt get a chance to grow up and grow out of it. 'Death of a Cheerleader' follows the story of two girls in Hollybrook High, in the fictional town of Colina, California. I bet she finally became an outcast fro supporting Bernadette. Thats how she probably got associated with not liking people who didnt fit in. Bernadette then stalked Kirsten all the way to her house which would anger and disturb most people. 15-year-old Kirsten Costas was ruthlessly murdered on June 23, 1984, by one of her schoolmates. Meanwhile, Kirsten had died of her wounds. If we all got along with everyone then it would be boring. IN REALITY, Kristen was, at worst, sometimes catty to Bernadette. Remember teen girls will be teen girls, and they grow out of caddiness when they get older, but Kirsten never got that chance so so horrible. 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. Feeling bad for Bernadette bc was a pathetic, weak, emotionally unstable girl, fragile or whatever doesnt change the fact that shes also a murderer. I thought Miramonte was a nice place, if you make good decisions myoumwill make it (popular or not). I want popular, but had friends who were, I didnt sulk about it, I did sports, not clubs or cheerleading. You knew both girls? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In northern italy they have blonde hair fair and blue eyes . Even religion, which is supposed to be about mostly how you treat others. Dont let that Sweet Melancholy fool anyone, she was not that unless you were in the group. You are lying. Karen I read your comments n I totally agreed with you. 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. They might not win but they can make a case for smearing the name of their daughter if indeed she was not a bully. So yes Kirstens friends still get together at times, but they dont discuss Bernadette or the death of Kirsten, as a matter of fact,( they dont want it brought up at all). Theres other Measures to take other than Murder. Not when she was bullied and pushed to her limit!! I heard Bernadette was Snobbish also as well. Embarrassed, Angela moves her mother's arm and storms off to collect her bag. I can tell its you before I even read the first line. Is it respectful to perpetuate lies about a murdered teenage girl due to a fictional depiction? Interesting. Those boys were wealthy and were far from bullied. Would you say the same if Bernadette did suicide? So no she is a Psychopath. How many teen girls dont get Smart Aleck, its a normal part of a teens life. Self Absorbed yes. I think both girls were good girls, and I think one just got frustrated over a fake invitation, and I do believe Bernadette made a (butt) of herself to Kirsten, and it was all Kirsten could take. Also, HELL NO Bernadette was not cuter, or prettier then Kirsten. According to People, Protti attended her funeral just like everyone else in her school. No other word. According to her attorney, Charles James, juveniles convicted of murder in California serve an average of four to six years. She did well in school academically, had plenty of friends, her close friends genuinely cared about her, she was described as popular in her own wayand she was invited to join an exclusive sorority club. Doesnt it seem weird that Bernadettes sister would have an 18-inch knife for cutting tomatoes? Bernadette chased her, tailgated her home when Alex Arnold took her home, if Bernadette hadnt of bothered her, she wouldnt of bothered Bernadette, she didnt have to like Bern, and she didnt owe Bern a thing. I dont understand why you sympathize with a murderer and perpetuate lies about her murder victim under different aliases. I could call you out but I wont. Its all coming back to haunt her for what she did. She let 2:girls take the blame. very sad. Self Absorbed yes. Plenty of facts support that view. Move on. You are a sick minded individual to perpetuate that lie about Kirsten, but I suppose its easier for you and your ilk to criticize a dead teenager because she its not like she can defend herself, is it? However, she did not deserve to die. I cant get to the point quickly. Youre talking about Tori Spelling in a movie being a minor bully not Kirsten whom you know next to nothing about. I was born with common sense. You Mats that knows Kirsten, why was she so Mean? Maybe they were misunderstood, I didnt hate any of them, I just got the feeling they looked down on me, and didnt feel as though I belonged. Kirsten is forever missed. That was 36 years ago, and the Memory still lingers on. With this Virus, and now George Floyd, ( and the Riotings all over) Im deeply surprised people still are discussing Bernadette Protti on here, and other sites. A few cried. Upon her release, she reportedly changed her name. She fit in and was as popular as Kirstens 2 close friends (Diane and Stacy), Bernadette wanted more. She did have money, dont let that other Mats tell you any different. However, she got a job in the student office alongside Kirsten, which resulted in the popular girl asking Bernadette to do her different favours. She should of told the truth and met Kirsten at the house and talked there with her parents present. But they never said! We all had enemies and faults and all teen girls are Caddy and mean at some point, no reason to die, they outgrow it in adulthood, most do anyways, some never do. For what? Kirsten had a lot to look forward to. The juvenile code dictates a sentence of confinement to the age of 25. You cant force somebody to be friends with you. See how the most famous actresses of the 50s & 60s used Lustre-Creme shampoo, Gene Wilder talks writing & acting, movies & stardom, and working with Mel Brooks, See amazing pictures of elegant old Pasadena, California, from the days before cars, Vintage Tupperware: See 100+ retro plastic container styles, from the 50s to the 80s, How do you use a rotary phone? She had moments, and she told her feelings about people. You took the life away from this poor girl and her family. Kirsten was described mostly Vibrant and friendly by others, and so was Bernadette. The release of Death of a Cheerleader in the 90s rekindled an infamous story of a brutal murder in June 1984 in Orinda, California. 3 decades later thats ridiculous. Yes sex offenders have to let people know theyre registered sex offenders true, but Bernadette was a child who murdered another child in the (courts eyes) I agree she should have to let people know what she did, but Court system is the one to blame for that. I hear a lot of them still get together on Occasions, and others have moved on. Even if she was, no right to murder her. There was no justification for murder even if the victim was a bully, which it seems she was, at worst, catty. Check your Stories and facts before you post Nonsense. However, she didn't finish her nine-year sentence behind bars as she was paroled after seven years, released on June 10, 1992. Thats so hot, the girl says, and heads home. 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. You are lying. And ironically the real Kirsten was the brunette and the kiler was the blonde. She probably just released her anger towards her so she could move on. She dont remember her incidents, others embarrassed themselves by wanting to be the center of attention. Kirstens friends arent either (not one bit). As for knowing her Personally I didnt, I know someone who did, she was Bubbly and full of Jokes and Laughs. Eventually, she ended up confessing to killing Kirsten, saying that she put her down, and made her feel bad, exacerbating Bernadettes inferiority complex.