Family of Suspect in Celia Barquin Arozamena Killing Speaks Out

Zachary Stieber
Updated:
The family of the man accused of killing Iowa State University golfer Celia Barquin Arozamena has spoken out for the first time.
Collin Richards, 22, was charged with first-degree murder on Sept. 18 after the body of Arozamena, 22, a student from Spain, was found on Monday, Sept. 17, at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, about 30 miles north of Des Moines.

The family of Richards said in a statement on Thursday that they are devastated by the death of Arozamena.

“We are devastated by the tragedy that occurred Monday at Coldwater Golf Links. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Celia Barquin Arozamena. We are mourning with you,” says the statement from the family, reported the Des Moines Register.

“We ask the public to please respect our privacy at this time. We will not be granting media interviews,” the family added.

Arozamena’s brother, Andres, spoke to reporters in Spain on Sept. 19, explaining that they were trying to cope with the death.

“We are all together, trying to put ourselves together,” he told reporters, according to CBS. “We are all very affected by what has happened, and we would ask that you respect the pain that family is going through as we need a little more privacy.”
Celia Barquin Arozamena poses for a photo on Sept. 7, 2017. The former Iowa State University golfer was found dead in Ames, Iowa on Sept. 17, 2018. (Luke Lu/Iowa State University via AP)
Celia Barquin Arozamena poses for a photo on Sept. 7, 2017. The former Iowa State University golfer was found dead in Ames, Iowa on Sept. 17, 2018. Luke Lu/Iowa State University via AP
File photo showing Celia Barquin Arozamena hitting on to the ninth green during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open Championship golf tournament at Shoal Creek, on May 31, 2018. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo)
File photo showing Celia Barquin Arozamena hitting on to the ninth green during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open Championship golf tournament at Shoal Creek, on May 31, 2018. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

Iowa State Mourns Golfer

Arozamena was a talented golfer, named the 2018 Big 12 champion and Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year.

“Celia had an infectious smile, a bubbly personality and anyone fortunate enough to know her was blessed,” Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said in a statement.

“Our Cyclone family mourns the tragic loss of Celia, a spectacular student-athlete and ISU ambassador.”

Arozamena was a native of Spain who was finishing her civil engineering degree at Iowa State this semester.

Collin Daniel Richards in a file photo. (Story County Jail via AP)
Collin Daniel Richards in a file photo. Story County Jail via AP

Richards’s Criminal History

Richards has a lengthy criminal history, with charges that include drug use, harassment, and domestic assault.

He was recently released from prison and was living in a tent near the golf course.

He led officers to the location of his temporary residence, reported KCCI, where officers found two pairs of shorts with what appeared to be bloodstains.

Officers also observed that he had fresh scratches on his face consistent with fighting and a deep laceration on his left hand.

From NTD.tv
Zachary Stieber
Zachary Stieber
Senior Reporter
Zachary Stieber is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times based in Maryland. He covers U.S. and world news. Contact Zachary at [email protected]
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