Homeless man charged with killing golf champ Celia Barquin Arozamena

Collin Daniel Richards charged by police for first-degree murder of 2018 European Ladies Amateur champion.

Andy Roberts's picture
Wed, 19 Sep 2018
Homeless man charged with killing golf champ Celia Barquin Arozamena

 

A homeless man has been charged with killing 2018 European Ladies Amateur champion Celia Barquín Arozamena


 

The body of the 22-year-old Spanish native, who represented the Iowa State University golf team, was found in a pond on Monday "some distance" from an unattended golf bag at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, according to police.

    Court documents said Celia had been stabbed several times in the upper torso, head and neck, and police explained she had been "assaulted."

    Police have charged Collin Daniel Richards, 22, with first-degree murder.

    Commander Geoff Huff said Richards is homeless and has been living in nearby woods.

    While they investigated the scene, police spoke with a man who knew Richards and asked them, "What did he do to her?" The man told police that Richards had told him recently "of having an urge to rape and kill a woman," an affidavit filed in court says.

    Police found Richards at a homeless camp. He had "fresh scratches on his face consistent with fighting," the affidavit says. He also was trying to hide a deep cut on his left hand, which he tried to bury in the ground.

    In Richards' backpack were bloodied clothes and a knife, the document says.

     

     

    Huff said police don't know of any relationship connecting the suspect and the victim. He said police have had "past encounters" with Richards but that he did not know details, or any information about Richards' criminal record.

    Barquín was golfing alone, and the strange site of an abandoned golf bag led to the discovery of her body, Huff said.

    "It's extremely troubling," Huff said. "It's an awful thing that's happened."

    Celia was named Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year after winning the 2018 Big 12 championship, an annual tournament contested between 10 leading US sports universities, as well as being crowned 2018 European Ladies' Amateur champion in July.

    "Celia was a beautiful person who was loved by all her teammates and friends," said Christie Martens, Iowa State head women's golf coach.

    "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."

    Iowa State University Women's golf team paid tribute to Celia on social media...