Kirsten Costas, Bernadette Protti Movie Out This Saturday On Lifetime (Death of a Cheerleader 2019)

The Kirsten Costas, Bernadette Protti death story will air in a new movie on Lifetime this Saturday. I never thought I'd see the day when Lifetime would remake Death of a Cheerleader. I get it. They know these old movies are still popular in the minds and hearts of the viewers. Plus, they need to introduce them to a newer and younger audience.

I screened the Bernadette Protti/Kirsten Costas movie (Death of a Cheerleader) the other night, and I liked it. But not as much as the old one. I updated the timeline of the case at my new website TV Crime Sky.

Many of you have been following this case for many years. I am updating this page for now. Most of my other work appears on TV Crime Sky.

Bernadette Protti: Bernadette J. Protti Now, Kirsten Costas Timeline

Berandette Protti Case On Investigation Discovery Show Tonight (The 1980s)

Bernadette Protti's story is coming on television tonight. Be sure to catch The 1980s The Deadliest Decade at 9 p.m. on ID. Nancy Kane will be telling her compelling story again.

Killer Kids Episode Of Bernadette Protti Case: Rumors & The To Do list

Bernadette Protti's case will air on "Killer Kids" on Lifetime Movie Network on Wednesday, March 18, 2014. The name of the episode is "Rumors & The To Do List."

I appear on the episode talking about the case. This episode was shot in Sanford, Florida last August. I had a great time working with everyone on the set about the case.

This will be a two-part documentary----not sure what the other case is about. I will check the website to see if they have a new trailer up for this. I know at least one neighbor will appear on the show, but I am unsure if the Costas will appear.

It should be a good but short episode.

Just posted some information at the "Bernadette Protti and Kirsten Costas Timeline" site about Bernadette Protti's skis. Check it out.

Bernadette's Real Name

Hello everyone,

Thanks for all of your updates. I know many of you have found out Bernadette's new name. I get emails just about everyday sometimes twice a day with details of her new name and her husband's name. I already know her name, remember?

I am not going to be posting her new name here.

The movie's accuracy: Bernadette and Kirsten

Question from Frankie del Toro:  "Hi Traciy! I was just curious as to how you found out that the movie's portrayal of Kirsten was accurate. From all of the things I read, it sounded more like Kirsten just didn't like Bernadette and didn't hide it very well, but didn't bully her, either. I'm dying of curiosity about that. Thanks! I enjoy your blog immensely."



Hello and thanks. The movie was supposedly based on the trial transcripts and the article about Orinda. The names were changed around for the film to disguise the true identity of the people involved. My feeling is that someone very close to the case sold their rights to the story, but I am not sure who.


Several of Bernadette and Kirsten's schoolmates have written to me over the years giving their versions of the true events. Those on the side of Kirsten undoubtedly always deny that she was a bully. But, there are several girls who claim to have been treated very badly by Kirsten.


As for the bullying issue, could it have been as overt as in the movie where the character that is supposed to be based on Kirsten actually walked up to people and bullied them, or if it was just that she treated them badly when they were in her presence? I can't be sure. I don't think we'll ever have a true picture. 


I do believe there is enough evidence to show that Kirsten was not a "nice" person to many people. And that Bernadette was generally well-liked by everyone.

Bernadette Protti Lurking the Blogs?

 

Anonymous wrote

 

"Tracey,you have never shared your personal thoughts on the case. Do you believe it was premeditated? I honestly believe that she is making the most out of her new life. I think she is embarassed,and feels guilty over the crime."

No, I don't think the murder was premeditated. I think something happened when they were in the car. Something that scared Bernadette so much that it sent her over the edge. Don't forget the climate of Orinda at that time. It was fierce. The competition, the bullying, the rumors that could easily malign you from the community. Remember the case of the girl whom they accused of being a witch. 

Bernadette was an outsider by all accounts. She fit it somewhat, but not totally. She lived a little bit outside of the area, so she was not one of the rich kids, though her parents did ok. Fitting in was extremely important to Bernadette. She wanted to go to THAT school and fit in with THOSE girls...period.

She did everything possible to fit in, and she did, for the most part. But, she needed the acceptance of Kirsten. She wanted to be Kirsten's friend, and now Kirsten was going to ruin all of that by exposing Bernadette. The movie's portrayal of Kirsten was pretty spot on. This is not a fact that will be admitted by Kirsten's friends.

But ask anyone who was at the mercy of Kirsten's wrath, and the picture will become a bit more clear. 

Back to the inside of the car, I think it is very possible that Bernadette showed a little too much interest, and that interest in Kirsten was misconstrued as Bernadette trying to come on to Kirsten, thus the lesbian theories. Kisten was going to tell everyone about it, and Bernadette's anger and fear got the best of her.

 

 

Does she feel remorse?

 

At the time she did. Remember the movie stuck very close to the trial transcripts....very close. The crime was eating away at her, and she really did want to confess to her mom but feared what her mother would think. This whole crime was about Bernadette's fear of not being accepted and being pushed and pressured to fit in to a world that....at the time....was not hers.

Has she changed?

I have no idea. People do have a change of heart. She was a teenager, I am sure she is a totally different person now.

 

 

 

Were Kirsten's action an excuse for Bernadette Protti to take her life?Absolutely not! Kirsten did not deserve what happened to her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anonymous wrote

 

"I have heard that she didn't actually turn herself in,but only did so after she was cornered. To the blog owner,has Bernadette ever written you? I know you stated at one point you had talked to a family member."

 

 

No, as far as I know, I have never spoken directly with Bernadette Protti. When I first broke the news that I had uncovered her identity, I received a flurry of disparaging emails, and I thought perhaps it could have been her. But, I can't be sure. Plus, the language in the emails did not fit the language befitting a seasoned medical writer, now that I think about it.

 

But, who knows. 

 

Yes, I have spoken to a family member, but I do not remember who it was. I made two calls: one to her sister and another to a family member. I left a message on one call, and spoke to an actual person on another call. I was promptly dismissed though. The person never revealed any information to me, and I have never made an attempt to contact them again.

 

I also remember sending an email to her sister, who I believe was an attorney or something like that. It's been a long time so.... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anonymous said...

Tracey, are you going to comment on the recent post by, "Bernadette no more?" Do you believe that was a comment from the real Bernadette? I think it would be great to know and also to know your opinion about the post. Thank you. "

Yes, I think she reads the blogs. I don't think she comments much, but I do think she has commented before.  There was one person lurking on here some time ago that pretended to be her. I don't think that person that you are talking about was her, but I will go back and look through the comments to see. She is probably too busy to lurk here most days, but who knows.