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
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
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.
