UWGB student killed, ATM card used
Rachel Rivard
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Fourth Mistake
Katie Stilp, a junior communication major and assistant news editor of Fourth Estate, was found dead early April 1. She was found in the entryway to the executive office in the Fourth Estate newsroom.
Today, authorities cited 36 stab wounds to the back as the cause of death. The wounds were believed to be caused by a bloody ATM card found at the crime scene.
The ATM card belonged to Fourth Estate News Editor Rachel Rivard. It had been cut and sharpened at two corners to make a pointed weapon.
As of press time, Rivard was the only suspect in custody but Sports Editor Josh Brewer and Jon Gracer, entertainment writer, were also being investigated.
Witnesses said Brewer had been overheard complaining about Stilp's front page presence and was upset after Stilp had yelled at him for being top story.
Nikki Gulmire, former Life Editor of Fourth Estate recalls Brewer telling Stilp he'd kill her.
"I remember him telling her to always watch behind her," Gulmire said. "I thought he was joking though."
Gracer was being investigated because he is the only flaming redhead on staff.
However, staff members of Fourth Estate remembered Stilp and Rivard had engaged in a heated argument as they were struggling to meet deadline March 31.
"Katie had been threatening Rachel for quite some time of quitting the newspaper," said Ryan Mellenthin, a junior communication major and Opinion editor of Fourth Estate. "Katie felt Rachel was taking advantage of her, making her do twice the workload of a normal news writer, which she was."
Many members of the Fourth Estate staff said Rivard got sick of Stilp's constant threats and snapped.
"I've never heard Rivard scream and yell like that," Mellenthin said with a thick Boston accent.
Also found at the crime scene was a small white board with the words "You're fired!" written in what is believed to be Stilp's blood.
The staff of Fourth Estate said this points more evidence toward Rivard, as she was known to say this to Stilp every time Stilp complained.
Today, authorities cited 36 stab wounds to the back as the cause of death. The wounds were believed to be caused by a bloody ATM card found at the crime scene.
The ATM card belonged to Fourth Estate News Editor Rachel Rivard. It had been cut and sharpened at two corners to make a pointed weapon.
As of press time, Rivard was the only suspect in custody but Sports Editor Josh Brewer and Jon Gracer, entertainment writer, were also being investigated.
Witnesses said Brewer had been overheard complaining about Stilp's front page presence and was upset after Stilp had yelled at him for being top story.
Nikki Gulmire, former Life Editor of Fourth Estate recalls Brewer telling Stilp he'd kill her.
"I remember him telling her to always watch behind her," Gulmire said. "I thought he was joking though."
Gracer was being investigated because he is the only flaming redhead on staff.
However, staff members of Fourth Estate remembered Stilp and Rivard had engaged in a heated argument as they were struggling to meet deadline March 31.
"Katie had been threatening Rachel for quite some time of quitting the newspaper," said Ryan Mellenthin, a junior communication major and Opinion editor of Fourth Estate. "Katie felt Rachel was taking advantage of her, making her do twice the workload of a normal news writer, which she was."
Many members of the Fourth Estate staff said Rivard got sick of Stilp's constant threats and snapped.
"I've never heard Rivard scream and yell like that," Mellenthin said with a thick Boston accent.
Also found at the crime scene was a small white board with the words "You're fired!" written in what is believed to be Stilp's blood.
The staff of Fourth Estate said this points more evidence toward Rivard, as she was known to say this to Stilp every time Stilp complained.
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Lindsey
posted 3/28/08 @ 10:04 PM CST
It's not April 1st yet so why are you reporting this?
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