“We are all devastated,” Iowa State women’s golf coach Christie Martens said in a statement.
A community is in mourning after champion Iowa State golfer Celia Barquin Arozamena was found dead on a golf course in Ames, Iowa, Monday.
Collin Daniel Richards, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder in her death, according to Ames police.
Twenty-two-year-old Barquin Arozamena's body was discovered Monday morning after golfers found a golf bag “with no one around it on the course,” authorities said in a statement. Police found her remains in a pond, "some distance away" from her abandoned clubs. Barquin Arozamena sustained "several stab wounds to the upper torso, head and neck," according to the criminal complaint.
Richards was later arrested. He is being held on $5 million cash bond and has not yet entered a plea.
According to the complaint, Richards was identified as a suspect after police saw an acquaintance of Richards' walking near the golf course. The acquaintance, who is not identified, asked police something akin to, "What did he do to her?" the complaint states.
In subsequent interviews, the acquaintance told police that Richards had "made a statement to the effect of having an urge to rape and kill a woman,” according to the complaint.
Police later located Richards, who was staying in a tent across from the golf course. He "had several fresh scratches on his face consistent with fighting," the complaint states. During a search, authorities also found bloody clothes and a knife, according to the complaint.
It's believed the attack was "a random act of violence," Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said.
Records show Richards has a criminal history, having previously pleaded guilty to charges including domestic abuse, assault and public intoxication.
Barquin Arozamena, a native of Spain, won the 2018 Big 12 championship and was named the Iowa State female athlete of the year earlier this year. She was working on completing a degree in civil engineering, according to the university.
“We are all devastated,” Iowa State women’s golf coach Christie Martens said in a statement. “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.”
“Celia had an infectious smile, a bubbly personality and anyone fortunate enough to know her was blessed. Our Cyclone family mourns the tragic loss of Celia, a spectacular student-athlete and ISU ambassador.” - ISU Athletics Director Jamie Pollard
— Iowa State WGolf (@CycloneWGOLF) September 18, 2018
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The school will pay tribute to Barquin Arozamena at Saturday's football game, the university said.
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