Bernadette Protti Biography: Net Worth, Age, Wiki, Facts, Pictures, Spouse, Siblings

Bernadette Protti gained notoriety for the tragic murder of her classmate Kirsten Costas in June 1984.

The incident occurred in the affluent suburb of Orinda, California, and shocked the local community and the nation.

Protti, a high school student at Miramonte High School, committed the crime at the age of 15, motivated by feelings of jealousy and social rejection.

Profile

• Full name: Bernadette Protti
• Date of birth: September 20, 1968
• Age: 56 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: United States
• Nationality: American
• Profession: N/A (post-release, believed to have worked as a nurse)
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Elaine and Raymond Protti
• Siblings: Virginia Protti (also known as Virginia Varela), among others
• Spouse: Believed to be married under a different name
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Italian descent
• Net worth: $150k

Early Life and Education

Bernadette Protti was born in the United States on September 20, 1968, and she’s currently 56. She was the youngest of several children in a devout Catholic family.

Despite her family’s hardworking and respectable background, Bernadette struggled with feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, particularly towards her classmate Kirsten Costas.

Bernadette attended Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, where she was known for her academic diligence but struggled socially, feeling overshadowed by more popular students like Kirsten.

Personal Life

Protti’s personal life before the incident was marked by her intense desire to fit in and be accepted by her peers.

She idolized Kirsten Costas and envied her popularity and social standing. This envy, coupled with a series of social rejections, culminated in a tragic act of violence.

Post-release, Bernadette is believed to have changed her name and built a new life, reportedly working as a nurse and authoring medical journals. She has kept a low profile to avoid media attention and public scrutiny.

Career

Bernadette Protti’s professional life post-incarceration is largely shrouded in mystery due to her name change and efforts to remain anonymous. It is believed that she pursued a career in nursing and possibly authored medical journals.

However, concrete details about her career are scarce due to privacy concerns and the efforts to protect her new identity.

Net Worth

According to sources, Bernadette Protti’s net worth is estimated to be around $150k.

Controversy

The murder of Kirsten Costas 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, leading to Protti stabbing Costas multiple times with a kitchen knife. Costas succumbed to her injuries shortly after.

The case took nearly six months to resolve, with Protti eventually confessing to the crime 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 on parole for good behavior.

Protti’s early release and subsequent low profile have been points of contention, especially for the Costas family, who felt that justice was not fully served.

Protti’s story has been adapted into various media forms, including the 1994 television movie “A Friend to Die For” (also known as “Death of a Cheerleader”) and its 2019 remake, highlighting the ongoing public fascination with the case.

Despite the adaptations, Protti’s life remains mostly private, with occasional internet speculation about her whereabouts and new identity.