Bernadette Protti became infamous for the tragic murder of classmate Kirsten Costas in June 1984.
The incident occurred in the wealthy suburb of Orinda, California and shocked the local community as well as the nation.
Protti, a high school student at Miramonte High School, committed the crime at the age of 15, driven by jealousy and social outcasts.
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- Full name: Bernadette Protti
- Date of birth: September 20, 1968
- Age: 56 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: None (after release, believed to have worked as a nurse)
- Height: None
- Parents: Elaine and Raymond Protti
- Siblings: Virginia Protti (also known as Virginia Varela), among others
- Spouse: Supposedly married under another name
- Children: None
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: None
- Ethnicity: Italian
- Net Worth: $150,000
Early life and education
Bernadette Protti was born in the United States on September 20, 1968 and is currently 56 years old. She is the youngest child in a devout Catholic family.
Despite her family’s hard-working and respectable traditions, Bernadette struggles with feelings of powerlessness and jealousy, especially toward classmate Kirsten Costas.
Bernadette attended Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, where she was known for her academic hard work but struggled socially, feeling overshadowed by more popular students like Kirsten.
Personal life
Protti’s personal life before the incident was marked by a strong desire to fit in and be accepted by his peers.
She idolized Kirsten Costas and was jealous of her popularity and social status. This jealousy, coupled with a series of social rejections, culminated in a tragic act of violence.
After her release, Bernadette is said to have changed her name and built a new life, reportedly working as a nurse and editing medical journals. She kept her identity a secret to avoid media attention and public scrutiny.
Career
Bernadette Protti’s professional life after her incarceration remains largely a mystery, as she changed her name and tried to keep her identity private. It is believed that she pursued a career in nursing and may have written for medical journals.
However, specific details about her career remain limited due to privacy concerns and efforts to protect her new identity.
Net worth
According to sources, Bernadette Protti’s net worth is estimated to be around $150,000.
Argumentative
The Kirsten Costas murder case remains one of the most controversial cases involving teenage jealousy and violence.
On June 23, 1984, Protti lured Costas out under the pretense of attending a party. When Costas realized there was no party, a confrontation ensued, resulting in Protti stabbing Costas multiple times with a kitchen knife. Costas died of his injuries shortly thereafter.
The case took nearly six months to solve, and Protti eventually confessed to her crimes in a letter to her mother.
She was sentenced to a maximum of nine years in a juvenile facility for second-degree murder but was released after seven years of parole for good behavior.
Protti’s early release and subsequent secrecy have become a point of contention, particularly for the Costas family, who feel justice has not been fully served.
Protti’s story has been adapted into various forms of media, including the 1994 television film “A Friend to Die For” (also known as “Death of a Cheerleader”) and a 2019 remake, highlighting the continued public interest in the case.
Despite the changes, Protti’s life remains largely private, with occasional internet speculation about her new whereabouts and identity.
