The Iowa State golfer Celia Barquin Arozamena was remembered by students and her parents in Spain.
The anguished mother of slain college golfer Celia Barquín Arozamena paid tribute to her daughter in Spain as hundreds gathered at Iowa State University to weep over the fallen fellow student.
"It has been bad luck," Miriam Arozamena said Wednesday, speaking for the first time to journalists. "This could have happened anywhere in the world. This guy went to kill a woman and he came across my girl."
The 22-year-old engineering student had been named female athlete of the year earlier this year after winning the Big 12 Women's Golf Championship.
She was attacked and stabbed to death in broad daylight Monday in what authorities called "a random act of violence." She had been playing an early round of golf. She was alone on the course.
Collin Daniel Richards, 22, had been living in a tent near the links and reportedly told an acquaintance he had urges to "rape and kill a woman," according to authorities.
Boyfriend Carlos Negrin Bolanos said the couple "imagined and dreamed our wedding, we dreamed the music for our wedding, we dreamed our dream house."
"We had named our kids," he added. "We were thinking ahead really quick."
Her mother described the young woman as being respectful with everyone, the elderly, young children, with friends, with her teachers. That's how she was. She had a special shine about her — she was just one of those people.
"We spoke every day," said her mom. "She found time. I am very proud to say this of her, she had a very organized diary, because she wasn't only intelligent and studious, but she also had her diary in which she had it all organized," rising at 6 a.m., playing golf, going to the gym, then to classes and then studying when she got home, said her visibly upset mom.
Richards was charged with first-degree murder and is being held on $5 million bail. "I hope people reserve judgment until after the trial," public defender Paul Rounds told ABC News.
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