I also think that its utterly ridiculous that she got only 9 years for committing murder. Bernadette only got in that Exclusive Club cause a friend who had pull nominated her. 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. People need others not bullying. Again so many came on saying they knew Kirsten and sharing Personal Details on other girls there. Can you give examples of Kirsten bullying Bernadette? Lots of her classmates are out of State and moved on, maybe you all should as well, Bernadette isnt even around, leave her alone, the past is gone its not coming back ever. I dont think it was so much bullying as it was insecurity, I think Bernadette said something that went all wrong in the car. After the attacks start again, Ellie must find the killer before they get to her. Why are you so focused on what they looked like? 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. Lot of weirdos on this thread. Alex gave chase but to no avail. first of all, the judge had to be stupid to find it second degree murder and it doesnt matter if she didnt plan to kill kirsten. She was also friends with people who were considered popular. There is no need to BULLY someone who is poor which is what Kristen did!!! Bernadette Protti is an American of Italian descent, born on September 20, 1968. Kirsten didnt like people who acted (Dumb) or got into trouble and cause trouble. Karma is catching up with her, thats why she has all these haters and has to watch her back anywhere she goes. I am 59 years old and I remember it like it was yesterday. It doesnt sound as if Kirsten bullied Bernadette, other than the one comment about her ski gear. The real death of a cheerleader story (1985), PS: If you liked this article, please share it! Do I believe Kirsten was a Mean girl (bully) not at all, I believe she had those she didnt like and may of been Snooty towards that got on her nerves. What's The True Story Behind Lifetime's Remake Of 'Death Of A We need an Memorial Page set up for Kirsten. Santa Rosa Press Democrat Monday, June 25, 1984, Roseville Press-Tribune Monday, June 25, 1984. The judgemental insecurities started there for Bernadette and everyone else that was raised in those conditions. In USA is more important to be popular, not smart, no matter how you treat others you become popular just because you say some joke or anything else to molest the person. Dont matter, been what 37 years. 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. Not true, you said you knew Bernadette and Kirsten both! And back then Bernadette was never going to admit that. Who could have stabbed popular, beautiful cheerleader Stacy to death? The knife was her sisters for making lunch it was even in the movie that way. 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. God calls people home not Bernadette. I know. She deserves it. 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? That way she would of learned and been afraid, no she took the Coward Way out and Murdered, and Bernadette was chasing after Kirsten. . She was young and like any teen finding her way around. That Dee if it is who I think she was always in trouble and never listened. Several girls in Interviews said they didnt want to be found cause there years at Miramonte wasnt the best. Bernadette would have seen the pain and anguish on Kirstens face, the fear and shock in Kirstens eyes, listened to Kirsten scream in agony (she was reported to have screamed) as she felt the knife rip through Kirsten skin. Kirsten liked almost everybody. Very, very mean. Ok, I agree with you that Kirsten was better-looking, but you realize that Bernadette was part Italian, right? Sounds like her parents Shouldve did some actual parenting and taught her how to have respect for other people. People can get really nasty at this school, says one junior, standing with a group of classmates on the lawn surrounding Miramonte. Joy, why dont you stick to writing under one name instead of creating different aliases? If she was mad, she should of just beat the crap out of Kirsten, not kill her. You know whats really sad? No right to murder. You are full of it. Bernadette was paroled after seven years, for good behavior, at the age of 23. Thier homecoming Queen was friendly and always spoke to people. Read the article. Bullies should get their a** whooped not killed just because they dont want to be friends with someone. ClickAmericana.com is made with and by Synchronista LLC 2011-2022. 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. Her parole would have gone ahead sooner apparently but in 1992 one of the parole board Victor Wisehart voted to keep her in jail as she showed an inability to control her anger and he felt that she was still a danger to the public, she had had a violent altercation with a boyfriend in the prison/school system, he said there was a hidden trigger that switched on when she didnt get her own way! Bernadette admired and idolized Kirsten, her schoolmate. She should of told the truth and met Kirsten at the house and talked there with her parents present. Of course, the story was national news, and considering it is more than three decades later, people are wondering about the convicted culprit. Why are you victim shaming ? She was Strange to. Also, Kirsten was upper middle class and lived in a less expensive area than Bernadette. You knew Kirsten. This is what makes me sad the most. She wanted to, but decided not to go through with it. Society in the richest places raise their children to be obnoxious and unbearable little freaks. She called Bernadette on her bizarre behavior that night, and if Bernadette would of left Kirsten alone, it would of never reached that Point, and Kirsten would still be alive maybe even today. I heard from an article from her friends mom, Kirsten wasnt exclusive and liked everyone. What are you talking about?? Angela gets snubbed as she attempts to kiss an elder gentlemen sitting in his car. She was warm, she was engaging, she was dynamic. Cant imagine what feelings the Costas family had either. John even if Kirsten was as mean as Tori Spelling (which BTW she wasnt) that is still no right to Murder her. She loved School. She may of been misunderstood. Maybe you need to hear one of those shooters moms speak on YouTube on the Ted talks. That dont Justify Murder. 10 Awesome Facts You Need To Know About The Lifetime Film, A Friend To Those girls arent that way as I said, they still get together on Occasion and all and are fine Adult Women. For example, she had issues with her body and considered herself unattractive and undesirable. She reminds me of Stacey Dash a little. Kirsten wont grow out of hers, Bernadette took that chance from her. If she didnt like someone , there was a reason. Material on this site is provided for purposes of education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. Maybe others didnt think so, but to many said she was. Kirsten had exotic features from her full volumes curly locks to her tan skinnot to mention her eyes were also sky blue. It also evil and sick. That already happened. Of course, the characters' names were changed in the movie. I was on a few adult precision ice skating teams, and let me tell you, some of the women who were on the teams were a hell of a lot worse than high school girls!! They werent socially accepted on account of the choices they made.. Berns BFF chose to support her( that set her apart) In Orinda if you act like a Bad A.. you wont be accepted. But Kirsten didnt deserve to die, some of those girls changed and are more sensitive. Although the attack was witnessed by Alex Arnold, he could not see the killers face, and chasing the killers Pinto did not yield results. Once Kirsten was dropped off, a girl got off the Pinto, stabbed her, and fled. Mats Kirsten probaly didnt like you, dont mean she was that way to everybody. Missy was Described as a Bully and Very Mean also. There are more murders in american continent than in Europe and its not in the time of war. You cuss and run loose you wont be accepted. If shed been bullied by Kirsten, seems like shed have told it in detail. And, they realized, the problem didnt lie only with Bernadette. Pre-meditation seems sensible between the clothes and the knife. Her biggest desire was to be liked and succeed, just like Kirsten. I got cut off before I had a chance to say anything else. Its in a teen girls blood to be Caddy and mean its just normal, but that dont give anyone the right to take someone elses life. She didnt want to be bothered with her either. I guess Bullying Justifies Murder, the way youre putting it, Kirsten is the real Vicitm, not Bernadette. Kirsten was, and classmates mostly said she was a free fun spirit with a big heart and love for life. Nancy was Sweet, she just took things the wrong way. I understand wanting to have what your friends have. The only person missing from the morning Latin class was Bernadette. Bernadette even tried to point her finger at Joanna as the one who killed Kirsten. Well 1st off Kirstens home on Orchard Rd was nice, but no Mansion like the Movie portrays a nice Ranchstyle home. Anyone who defends her and likes her is a Pathetic Loser also. It put a huge impact on our lives, first dealing with the loss of Kirsten, then finding out a girl we all trusted was the one responsible, that is something g that scattered our lives. It shows what a shallow, loser, she was. You that said Kirsten was mean, dont know her, or anything about her. It seemed like Bernadette needed intense psychotherapy for her issues. Abe that was your downfall. So she is a Horrible girl. Its always so sad when a murder happens to anyone especially a young girl who has her whole life ahead of her. According to this blog, Bernadette is married and has made a new life for herself. What a bizarre story. Bernadette Protti also went to Miramonte High School, along with Kirsten. Talking peoples business again, McDonald may not like her name being used. But to portray her as a Mean girl teen is off limits to the real Kirsten. She was more Bubbly and down to Earth. I lost for cheerleader. Bernadette Protti was released on parole in 1992, having served almost 8 years of her sentence. The boys at Miramonte liked Bernadettes childhood friend and Kirsten, none were interested in Bernadette. Google It, it sure will tell you. If you were a no body she didnt roll with you. Also Karen, Kirsten favors Stacey Dash, with Lindsey Warners personality on Saved by the Bell. Kirsten was beautiful. I liked Nancy Kane, she got tired of having to be something she wasnt, they looked down on her well. By what name was Death of A Cheerleader (1994) officially released in India in English? Kirsten was so adorable. One got drunk at a Party you told about on here, and the others who were not Noticed and the 2 blamed. Where are the examples of Kirsten bullying Bernadette and pushing her to her limit? Bernadette could be to at times She was no Angel some thought of her as Stuck up(Bernadette that is) and her BFF was kind of popular, but not as popular and Bernadette, Stacy, Diane, Jessica and Carrie. That Mats Chick dont know her head from her Butt. Blaming Kirstens parents for her death is the epitome of classlessness and disrespect. Get yourself checked out! Self Absorbed yes. Those who say Kirsten was a Mean Girl clearly didnt know her, or she didnt like them with (good Reasons). No one owes anyone a thing. According to The Los Angeles Times, Protti was sentenced to a juvenile prison for 7 years. Thats teens for you, its tough being a teen, most of them are smart alecky at some time or another, but we outgrow it. Your argument is Sort of pointless, and hypocritical considering that Bernadette did not value TRUE FEELINFS, FREINDSHIPS!!! I was shy, empathetic and depressed. 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. Im irritated. Although Bernadette had been questioned and cleared via a polygraph test, a private detective hired by the Costas found discrepancies in her alibi. Dylan and Eriks parents were loaded. They were good about making you feel like you didnt belong. 3 decades later thats ridiculous. She was also a very good student who did well academically in school. The father was so ignorant and submerged in his cars he didnt even notice his daughters pain and problems. Wow all this bantering back and forth how sad. I saw an interview with one of her classmates who described her as mean. Bernadette/Jeanette has paid her dues. She kissed the popular girls butt in order to be popular. As for the Shoes one time comment. She loved life, never seen her get ugly with anyone, I really cant picture that. I had just got out of high school at that time from north of the bay area Yet it hit us all so close to home the horror of it seemed to change everything in a way all those years ago What brought me here is my own grief at the unsolved stabbing murder of my girlfriend And she resembled Kirsten in appearance and likely even more in personality I pray for Kirstens soul and her family What they have gone through the last 37 years the neverending nightmare it is literally Room 101 Something torn out of you removed an amputee Tortured by the phantom limb You can feel where it was what it was like to have it remember it but its gone. She doesnt even want any former BFFs knowing her location anymore. The evidence supports nothing more than the finding of murder in the second degree. You want to defend your friend and so you should but once you start calling names and trampling over the comments of others you single yourself out as a bully. Read the posts from August 2019. She didnt bully Bernadette either. So I can tell you kids in these upper class schools are not angels and theyre raised not to be by their parents, who were the same way when they were in school. Kirsten wasnt like whoever (Not True) above article said she had to be snobby at the School there. They hung out together, Bernadette couldnt face up Kirsten was more Popular than she was, and better at everything.