Killing is going to far. Bernadette was kind to. She got a short sentence because she was tried as a minor. How do you know she was mean? She killed her cause she was afraid Kirsten would target her as a Weirdo now shes labeled as a MURDERER The characters were loosely based on Kirsten and Bernadette. You cant make up for six months of hell.. Whats worse is how the media played into all of this and have portrayed Kirsten as a girl who deserved this kind of horrific attack, nobody deserves to be tricked, stalked and stabbed in cold blood at 15 out any age. Even her childhood BFF cant forgive her for such a Horrible Act, if it was drugs or Alcohol she was I. Many people know about Bernadette's infamous story, but what about her personality? I wouldnt have either. I live minutes from Columbine Highschool and you have absolutely no clue. This poor girl never got to grow up and experience life all because some horrible, disturbed girl murdered her. i remember always thinking that Bs case would had been much different today. Kirsten was a Bully, I had heard she was,, and heard she wasnt and it was hard to picture her as a Bully. Cant imagine what feelings the Costas family had either. Im sure you knew them all. Probably was, she allowed 2:girls to take the blame. Kirsten liked almost everybody. The senior Vice President is still to be determined. You can also get our free newsletter, follow us on Facebook & Pinterest. Nothing should move a person to kill another. She wanted to be like her, and she struggled a lot to make it happen. This type of case just proves what can happen when bullies go too far. Heres what I think happened, Bernadette wanted Kirstens approval badly cause everyone else had Kirstens approval and Bernadette became dangerously obsessed over the whole deal, and she invited Kirsten out that night to make friends, and I think she said something to her that went horribly wrong to Kirsten, like make a clumsy pass at her and it terrified Kirsten, and Kirsten threatened to expose it to everyone, and Bernadette just freaked out and it possible she just found the knife by chance and got scared that a secret was going to be revealed, so she went to scare her, and maybe she didnt mean to kill her, but she meant to harm her (thats a fact). I didnt hate either one, maybe they were Misunderstood, as for being Stuckup. Bernadette was in with them to so was Jill. For legal reasons, we will not publish her name in this article, or the comments. That Movie had Tori Spelling kind of a Bully. She didnt make fun of people like that Mats girl claimed, probaly Bernadettes BFF commenting or Virginia or Bernadette herself, truth be told, cause Kirsten wasnt a thing like that Stacy Lockwood in the Movie. They are Cat Mean. So there actually is no first degree evidence that is solid and beyond a reasonable doubt. Killing is still not an excuse but Id have to say the real losers out of this situation are Bernadettes parents. Yes Kirsten and them all thought they were better than a lot. How many teen girls dont get Smart Aleck, its a normal part of a teens life. Others are not so lucky. Being disgusted that the murderer allowed two innocent girls to be accused of the murder? But would a real student please come forward and reveal yourself.. Bernadette was clearly very sick and disturbed, yet you appear to be minimizing or even excusing Kirstens murder by referring to Bernadette as a fragile human being, and writing Society in the richest places raise their children to be obnoxious and unbearable little freaks who will at some point push a normal person to the brink. As I said, Kirsten was Conceited, and Stuck up, but not no Bully. Karen, everyone reading your comments sees you as the odious one. I dont know why you are saying nice things about Kristen she was very mean and she said stuff that offended people she stop acting like she was innocent. She has Kirstens demeanor. Poor bernadette seemed very vulnerable and in need of help. Maybe her parents should have raised her better. It was quite a bizarre turn of events that shocked the small community where such grizzly crimes never happened. Kirsten was full of energy and life. Kirsten is forever missed. Sometimes she could come off the wrong way, but if someone rubbed her the wrong way, she would let them know. According to a court report dating back to 1985, these were some of the traits her cold-hearted . Did you know the other 2 girls that were accused? If we have the fear of God n understand the importance of Gods creation. I hear Kirsten was Beautiful inside and out. This girl lives in San Francisco and knows a person who knows someone who knew Kirsten. Normal teenagers they like I said, were crazy so to speak, and meant no harm towards Nancy and them, just harmless teasing, they were crazy like that. 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. First, she never made it to the cheerleading team and did not make it to the yearbook staff. Did Kirsten deserve to die over it. I do remember she was very insecure and would pick on B clearly an attempt to boost her confidence. The news flew through the town. Ok, I agree with you that Kirsten was better-looking, but you realize that Bernadette was part Italian, right? I can see Kirsten not wanting to be bothered with her. Most teen girls are snippy, Im sure you girls who had a bad experience were to, in fact one she was worse than anyone she was a (bully) and when the tables turned on her she couldnt deal with it and left Miramonte. The rest of you can lurk around and limp your hunchback selves to therapy. Guys just didnt really notice her. Bernadette Protti is believed to have changed her name, gotten married (causing her last name to change again), and became a nurse and medical journal author in suburban Dallas (Grapevine TX). No , then its gona be she was mental ill and forgotten forever yes? I wasnt there, but it sounded like she was holding her till she agreed to be friends on her terms, (Bernadettes). God would want you to forgive, Kirsten would as well. She was a typical teenage girl who just wanted to have fun with her friends. Bernadette was nice to, but she had hidden obsessions. The reason why Bernadette killed Kirsten is because Kirsten didnt appreciated the fact that she was lured out of her house under the pretence of a Bobbies sorority initiation dinner by someone she wasnt friends or even acquaintances with. She should of told the truth and met Kirsten at the house and talked there with her parents present. No I would never kill someone from being bullied but I totally understand some people who do. The only freak in this tragic story is Bernadette. Kirsten went to strangers, wanting to be dropped off home. Thats a win win. you werent there so shut up I agree with Karen Karen get your pretty face back on here Is this the same Karen I grew up with?. Kids are incredibly nasty and cruel in high school because their parents raise them that way in their own attempt to play the snobs of society. Dee I dont agree with you, so Kirsten and them had you on a project assignment and they didnt include you in the circle, you ever thought maybe you gave signals you dont belong, or why didnt you ask them to allow you, people cant read minds. To a degree Bernadette struggled harder than most of her friends, she wasnt as Popular as they were and was a little of an Outcast, but Tolerated. Kirsten never gave Bernadette any thought. She is paying for it like they said in her chess pie recipe. What are you talking about?? I dont believe Kirsten was a Bully. She was convicted in 1985 and sentenced to nine years, on a charge of second-degree murder. Of course its done and over with, and people arent forgiving and never let you forget anything you did, she made a enormous mistake, that cant change, but she does regret it and as for her and the Costas family making Peace, cant even tell you how much truth is in that, but Im sure she reached out and owned her part, but nothing she can do to change what the outcome cost them. Who are you to tell the judge what to say or do at that time? its very frustrating when the characters are not truly depicted in an accurate manner. She knows how people still feel about her, she also knows she cant escape the feelings they have or ever change them even in many years to come forth. The things that got me mad was it hurt and I couldnt change like looks or money or popularity or things," Protti added later on. Even if you werent rich, if you were smart and acted sensible you were accepted. So she had a different view of Kirsten, Bern wasnt nice to of murdered. And, they realized, the problem didnt lie only with Bernadette. All other photos are from the Miramonte High School yearbook, 1985. / CBS San Francisco. This Mats person you sound just like what Bernies BFF said about Kirsten exactly. Kirsten was nice, yeah, she and a few she didnt like, but they were the kids no one liked. B was a Psycho and always will be. She was good at that. Move on. 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. Every Murdered person was once someones child, parent, sibling or spouse. And the sister projected her crappy life onto her younger sister because she was unhappy. Her family was not the same. 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. Trouble for or Stealing maybe we could look past that. Also, Kirsten was upper middle class and lived in a less expensive area than Bernadette. 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. Shes grown up a lot and isnt the same teen girl she use to be. Bernadette got to all back to, she deserves to be vilified. The people involved in the case are local residents, driven by an amalgamation of insecurities and human greed. She felt it was even worse than having killed someone which is ridiculous and sad but thereve been a few cases like this.. Its thought to be the reason why Skylar Neese was really killed though her two best friends who killed her claimed they just didnt like her any more (again doesnt make sense) and there was evidence that Skylar had seen her two friends making out. Kirstens family and Berns family were both Well off, Bern lived in a Richer part. She slaughtered the girl. The person I knew didnt hate Kirsten, she just thought she was Snooty or Misunderstood. She refused to. To much detailed stuff if you ask me. 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? The release of Death of a Cheerleader in the 90s rekindled an infamous story of a brutal murder in June 1984 in Orinda, California. This is the true story of 15-year old Kirsten Costas who was stabbed to death by a classmate, Bernadette Protti, on June 23, 1984. A grown woman from England pretending to be someone who knew Bernadette, Kirsten, or Kirstens brother. She called Kirsten names. The crime happened way back in June 1984, in the town of Orinda, California. That leaves only the knife and whether its true or not a witness corroborated the girls account. Where are you getting she had no friends and was bullied. 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. Maria Also Bernadette wasnt bullied or singled out, thats BS. The school was a freak show. Only talked to her once or twice ever. No one is bothering her anymore. Despite our curiosity about her identity, it is only logical to be respectful of her privacy. The Homecoming Court was as popular (if not more) popular than Kirsten. A cheerleader was found dead, and with the investigators having little to go on, they brought in the FBI, who made some astounding revelations. If Bernadette hadnt of lied under false pretense she wouldnt of been so mad at her. No right to murder. 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 heard also Kirsten was just Self Absorbed to, but not a Bully. they all were, taking a life is unacceptable and inexcusable. Bet you didnt walk on Water yourself as a teen, bet you were smart Aleck, most teen girls are, and they grow out of it, dont give them the right to be killed. That didnt happen that way. Not youre so called Sweet friend Bernie. The bullying, the lies, the jealousy and competition is so toxic and they will murder your soul. The murder of her daughter, Berit says, was premeditated from the moment of the phone call. She lured Kirsten out of her house under false pretences to the non existent sorority dinner and then drove Kirsten to an empty car-park at night. Karen I read your comments n I totally agreed with you. I dont think it was so much bullying as it was insecurity, I think Bernadette said something that went all wrong in the car. Whoever DD is of Kirsten and them didnt like her, its cause she probably acted (Weird) around them. Everyone says this school is so boring, so they start doing things for entertainment. She always loved Cheerleading. I disagree with you. To bad she did cause Im sure she would of grown out of her ways and be a positive influence in someones life today even. Kirsten had a good heart though. Bernadette was described as homely. 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. But first, let us briefly tell you what its about. B was so quiet of a person we figured just talking about something like that made her sick. And not a fuckn psycho. She was convicted in 1985. Its all coming back to haunt her for what she did. On the afternoon of the third day of the trial, Judge Edward Merill found Bernadette Protti guilty of second-degree murder. The original movie featured stars like Kellie Martin and Tori Spelling. 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. 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. But this is just my opinion, dont come after me :/. So whoever said Kirsten was mean, and was a B I cant picture that, I didnt know her very well either, we all have a mean side, I never seen it in her. Some by the time theyre 18 depends on the maturity level theyre at. I live in LA and know people on the Bay Area that know all about the case, and know people who knew Kirsten, and they say the Movie was offbeatfar from Kirstens Personality. Alex offered to drop Kirsten home, as the Pinto followed. It could have been antisocial Goth girl Monica, it could've been angst-ridden Jill--or maybe it was the plain girl nobod Who could have stabbed popular, beautiful cheerleader Stacy to death? Kirsten and she sort of got along, and,( sort of didnt). Orinda folks and former Students who knew Kirsten are not into Morbid fascinations. I believe she made a clumsy pass at Kirsten, or said something weird, and Kirsten got all freaked. In another one of your comments your wrote Well said Sarah. 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 Sheriffs Department investigators said. They told about the girls ran out of School. 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. I never understood why Bernadette killed Kirsten. We need an Memorial Page set up for Kirsten. You guys are kidding yourselves. Theyre not looking forward to seeing her. YOU NEED TO LEAVE BERNADETTE TO GOD, AND YOUR NOT HIM. She must have really had a low opinion of herself!! "Her smile; you couldn't miss her smile. 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. How did Kirsten push Bernadette so far? She probaly wanted Bernadette to leave her alone thats all. Kirsten was a hugging person and went around joking, she would tease all of us, it was harmless. November 19, 2018 / 6:32 PM She was obsessed with being liked and Kirsten not liking her. That could hurt much more than death. Those who say Kirsten was a Mean Girl clearly didnt know her, or she didnt like them with (good Reasons). Stacey (Tori Lockwood) played Kirsten Costas, while Angie (Kellie Martin) played Bernadette Protti. Yes Kirsten May of been Snooty, but she was also adorable to those who knew her. The 2nd version of Death of a Cheerleader is more like Kirsten to a degree. The knife was her sisters for making lunch it was even in the movie that way. Anyone still get on these sites? Did you know the 2 Accussed? Kirstens friends dont sit and discuss Morbid depressing stuff to start with. The movie eve swapped their hair colours you cant take it too seriously although it did iclude certain claims of Beradettes like that Kirsten commented on Bernadette having cheap ski boots although all she said was that Bernadette made some comment not even what the comment was and that Kirstens voice was unexcited when she saw it was Bernadette. Now that you know, have fun looking around! Can you give examples of Kirsten bullying Bernadette? Hostile people do. That was 36 years ago, and the Memory still lingers on. My friend was a friend of hers. Her parents poor,.. yes, but spent money on that. Parent blaming is so ridiculous in this case but, if any parents are to blame, maybe its bernadettes . Protti was arrested in December 1984, and she was charged with second-degree murder on March 13, 1985. I still cant help from thinking that, but largely I think B killed K because K was blocking B from her rise in popularity. One thing is for certain, Bernadette has not had any serious run-ins with the law since her release from prison. The film is based on Randall Sullivans Rolling Stone article of the same name. I think NOT! Bernadette will loose it again if she lost it once. Bernadette was homely; Kirsten was pretty. If it hadnt have been for Bernadettes confession, this case probably would remain unsolved. 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. She could be mean, in fact, I could see her getting mean before I could see Kirsten. She killed once. 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! So this murderer just gets off free after 8 years and gets to live her life because (somebody picked on her)? "Our community is devastated. Admin Garret. On December 11, nearly every girl attending Miramonte, even those with the flu, showed up. Kirsten in no way deserved to die. There is no need to BULLY someone who is poor which is what Kristen did!!! She had plenty of friends like in the film who loved her, but she cared only about superficial things, and people. She was the (In crowd) Bernadette was desiring to be the incrowd. It all started with Bernadette inviting Kirsten to a party, which the latter was unaware of. The sad thing is that adults act the same way. The Judge felt sorry for her, and felt that the Community was using her trial as entertainment purposes and amusement. Eventually, she came clean to her parents. Now thats just sad. Note: This article may feature affiliate links, and purchases made may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. They start being cruel. She was not in a popular group, just a group. They made that clear and so did she Every single day. Note: This article may feature affiliate links, and purchases made may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Some girls considered all those girls Stuck up they considered Bernadette as well. I was raised to treat others with respect. Some she didnt like, Usually the ones no one else (liked). 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. That wasnt right, but when you run loose people think youre asking for it. Bernadette went to school. If you were a no body she didnt roll with you. Feeling bad for Bernadette bc was a pathetic, weak, emotionally unstable girl, fragile or whatever doesnt change the fact that shes also a murderer. Ive heard she was Bubbly and funny. But it is a very old case and Bernadette is no where to be found,(or cares to be)by other than family. We are no longer in the 80 s and never will be again. And How!!! people no one else liked she was to quite a few and hurt their feelings, she didnt want to associate with the bottom feeders at all, still no excuse for murder. Shes older also. If Kirsten wanted to smoke pot, Bern would of esp. You obviously didnt know Bernadette to describe her as Sweet. She could have gotten all of her 9 years. I dont care if she was only 15, murder is murder and she should have been locked away for far longer. 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? Although Bernadette had been questioned and cleared via a polygraph test, a private detective hired by the Costas found discrepancies in her alibi. Please make an appointment with your councilor at school and discuss this with him or her Maybe it wasnt a big national story at the time, and was more of a California Bay area story (Im from Illinois). Look inwards and think with consideration before you speak. Since then, she is supposed to have changed her name and left the state of California. The witness, who declined to be identified, said Kirsten was with a friend who had started to go weird he said. Even if Kirsten was a Snot, she would of grown out of it long before now. 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. I cant even begin to picture Kirsten even acting halfway like Tori Spelling did, in the new Movie the Kirsten portrayed wasnt as bad, but I dont think Kirsten was like that either. You will be startled by how the events unfolded on that fateful day. Most of the Bobbies were Snooty. Kellie Martin played the role masterfully! So I would say to any bully, we all have our weaknesses,. How is sweet referred to Murder? Yes its ok to talk, but run it into the ground, it gets old after awhile. Sure would be interesting to hear the truth behind this tragic story instead of listening to this gossip and speculation of what both girls were like and how they behaved. Did you ever stop and think that Bernadette was a fragile human being? I know there were problems beteewn she and Nancy Kane, and that other blamed girl. But they never said! Real class comes from decent human beings who have respect for others. She attended Miramonte High School, along with Kirsten and other children from her locality. Well hes probaly no better. AKA Berns BFF named used in movie. No, there is good and bad in every person, just the people are guilty for not seeing the reasons that cause that kind of things. However, despite being a member of this popular entity, she wasnt satisfied as she wanted more. I pray Bernadette is repayed and rewarded by the Blessed Trinity for the horrendous act towards the Costas. Do you really think its acceptable to lure someone out of their house under false pretences and then expect a positive reaction if your lie is discovered? And those others, D and them, they have lives of their own and probaly (jobs and families) so why would they care about being the Life of the Party? I hear Kirsten was Cocky and Arrogant, but not any Bully. 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. 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.