Collin Daniel Richards, 22, has been identified as the suspect in the murder of golf star Celia Barquin Arozamena, who was finishing up her degree at Iowa State University. Richards was arrested on a first-degree murder charge after Barquin Arozamena’s body was found Monday morning at the Coldwater Links golf course, according to WHO-TV.
While the circumstances leading up to Barquin Arozamena’s death are still uncertain, authorities believe Richards assaulted her and that she later died from those injuries.
An official cause of death has not been determined at this time.
“We are all devastated,” Iowa State head women’s golf coach Christie Martens said in a statement from the university. “Celia was a beautiful person who was loved by all her teammates and friends. She loved Iowa State and was an outstanding representative for our school. We will never forget her competitive drive to be the best and her passion for life.”
Officers responded to the scene when an abandoned golf bag was found on the course. After searching Coldwater Links — which is just across the street from Jack Trice Stadium — Barquin Arozamena’s body was discovered. She was 22 years old.
“This is a tragic and senseless loss of a talented young woman and an acclaimed student athlete,” Iowa State University President Dr. Wendy Wintersteen said. “We mourn with her family and friends in Spain, her teammates here and all who knew her. On behalf of the entire Cyclone family, I extend our deep condolences to Celia’s family and her many friends and teammates at Iowa State. We are deeply saddened.”
Celia, a native of Puente San Miguel, Spain, won the European Ladies’ Amateur championship in July and was also the 2018 Big 12 champion and Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year. Our deepest condolences are with her family during this difficult time.
