Death Of A Cheerleader is about Bernadette Protti & Kirsten Costas
By Clarencia Cynrae on August 4th, 2008Kirsten Costas was supposed to be the cheerleader that was killed by Bernadette Protti in 1984. It happened in Miramonte High School in Orinda, California. Both Kirsten Costas and Bernadette Protti were 15 years old when Bernadette Protti killed Kirsten Costas.
Bernadette Protti’s picture. She was protected and only an artist’s impression was allowed to be made public.
Bernadette Protti in 1984
Bernadette Protti was convicted for second degree murder. As she was a juvenile, Bernadette Protti served about 7 – 8 years jail before she was released in 1992. Bernadette Protti changed her name and left California.
Kirsten Marina Costas or Kirsten Costas
The movie, Death Of A Cheerleader, supposedly modeled itself after the true story of Bernadette Protti and Kirsten Marina Costas/ Kirsten Costas.
There was another story that shared similarities and the post is in -
Death of a Cheerleader – What Happened to Angela Delvecchio?
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September 10th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I think this story is a tragic one. Although I sympathize with the Murderess to some extent there are many elements that I do not understand. For example why did n’t Bernadette Protti turn herself in straight away rather than wait 6 whole months defrauding the system?! There were two girls that were outlined as main suspects and could have easily been wrongly accussed and arrested for second degree murder. Even though it was a crime of passion it resulted in a fatal death of a talented cheerleader. I do not believe the new identity of Bernadette be published or the new location she is now living. However, I did believe that Bernadette Protti should have served a longer sentence. She should have carried out her full term.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Was my comment regarding Death of a Cheerleader appropriate?
September 10th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Being at High School can prove lethal! Bernadette Protti felt rejected and felt she was a failure. She was also jeaulous of Kirsten Costas for being popular, beautiful, talented etc. Bernadette could see no way out of the dark pit she was under therefore the only solution of ending her pain was to murder Kirsten Costas. I do feel that Death of a Cheerleader is way too one sided where you do not feel any sympathy for Stacy Lockwood as you sense it coming. But she is after all a victim! Whatever provocation was subjected does not excuse murder! Bernadette Protti said the stabbing of Kirsten did not seem real. This was her trying to deny her involvement, trying to block out what she did away. Only it won’t… Bernadette Protti finally did have a conscience and turned herself in to FBI after making a full confession to her devastated parents. But I will not be able to understand to this day why Bernadette let the case drag for so long?! She was not caught until six months after the murder. And two girls were accussed of the crime and harrassed relentlessly forcing them to transfer to other Private Schools.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Paul,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
October 9th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Only thing I can say is cheerleading at the high school level is not some great talent, give me a break, Honestly Bernadette Protti was way more beautiful than Kirsten Costa and she was probably a snoot little B who need to be knocked down about a million pegs. Not sayin murders just have her A kicked. I dont feel sorry for people that behave like she did AT ALL.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I actually went to school with Kirsten and Bernadette. Kirsten was stuck up but not mean. I do not know of any evidence that Kirsten was cruel to Bernadette. I think Bernadette was psychotic and Kirsten represented everything that Bernadette did not have. The made for television movie does not portray everything accurately. Bernadette did not turn herself in. The police figured it out.
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
This kind of jealous behavior occurs in all highschools, it is completely normal. What is not normal is highschoolers killing each other because of it. I am disgusted by how it seems that others are justifying Bernadette’s actions. Being a bitch to someone does not make it alright, nor does it lessen the fact that someone was murdered. It is horrifying to see that a child is capable of murdering another person simply because they were mean to them. Further terrifying, is that she served a shorter sentence than drug dealers and petty theives. It is not normal for a 15 year old, let alone anyone, to take the life of another person no matter what! I agree with the reply above mine, this person must be a sociopath and a very dangerous individual. To me, she is owed no sympathy.
April 11th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
This is in response to TJ the idiot. Bernadette Protti was not better than Kirsten pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee not in a million years, that girl was so fucking ugly this is why she killed Kirsten she could never ever be her and she couldn’t take it, she was a jealous bitch who couldn’t handle being who she was an ugly fucking whore.She should be in jail now, she should die the same way for being a jealous BITCHHHHHHH……
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
i think bernadette was pretty. she just had problems. somewhere along the line she became obsessed with kirsten. she was envious and jealous. she wanted everything that kirsten had and was always second best.kirsten became the cheerleader and bernadette did not;that made her jealous. in her mind,she could never be as good as kirsten. but as for their looks,kirsten was cute,not gorgeous. bernadette,i think,was also attractive. i think alot of it also had to do with the fact that kirsten came from a wealthier family. but anyways, i feel sorry for kirsten. she did not deserve that. thats remember that bernadette had the problem,NOT kirsten. bernadette should be in prison,but she is not. she was paroled after 7 years i believe.she took a life and was eventually given her freedom back. is this justice????? can she control her emotions and think clearly and not act on impulse?
September 20th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Unless your God your opinions about rather she should she be in jail doesn’t matter. That’s what’s wrong with the world now everyone has something to say. Parents should teach their kids not to be mean, no it’s not right to kill it’s says it in the commandments. Therefore she sinned but so did Kirsten a sin is a sin God doesn’t judge by the severity of the sin lying is the same as killing in his eyes. She is forgiven by God so why are people who were not even involved passing judgment? Let it go, I had two family members murdered in the past four years, but my family forgave them instead of carrying the hate inside because all it does is prolong your pain and make you appear less in God’s eyes.
January 12th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
My response is to Trina’s comment nobody is trying to judge the Bitch of Bernadette but what she fucking did was fucking wrong. She was a jealous Bitch who couldn’t handle being her sorry self justice was not served. She should be in jail and hell fucking yeah she was UGLYYYYYYYY,,,,,,
January 12th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Trina you should fucking read your stupid comment which I believe is stupid. How would you feel if somebody kill your daughter? maybe if this happened to you, you wouldnt think that way. Family members are not the same as your own daugher or son, so you should shut up….
January 30th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Laura you need to shut up! You don’t get it. Family members ARE the same as a daughter. Stop being so ignorant! What happened to Kirsten was beyond tragic and the reasons it happened are many and may never be truly understood.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:52 am
If the movie is based on Kirsten Costas, I feel bad for her family. It’s bad enough that they lost their daughter to a horrible crime but then they have to deal with her being portrayed as an extremely cruel person and a unsympathetic murder victim) while the killer is portrayed in a sympathetic light.
Laura, grow the hell up. You sound like a child throwing a temper tantrum. It is seriously pathetic that you are unable to express your opinion with resorting to name calling and using the oversused whore insult. Newsflash, little girl…not everyone is going to share your opinion. Put on you big girl panties and accept it. No has to shut up, if you don’t like opinions different from yours, you have the option of ingoring it.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
I know what it feel like to be unpopular and the unpretty one. I was in the similar spot as Bernadette. Well, I had it worse because I was overweight and never dressed like everyone else. There was this girl whose name was Rosa who is similar to Kristen.She was gorgeous and liked by all the boys.She constantly taunted me.I did wish the worst for her and did want to kick her ass. But murder never came to my mind.I feel the pain Bernadette had at that moment. She just wasn’t in her right state of mind. Bullying does lead to deathly results. Parents should teach their children to treat people as they want to be treated.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Think Before You Act