Former Iowa State women’s golfer identified as victim in suspicious death at Coldwater Golf Links, one suspect charged with first-degree murder

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Iowa State junior Celia Barquin warms up during practice. 

Caitlin Yamada

Update: The Iowa State Athletics Department will honor Celia Barquin Arozamena at Saturday’s football game vs. Akron, according to cyclones.com.

Original story: A man has been charged in the murder of a former Iowa State golfer whose body was found at an Ames golf course Monday morning, according to a press release.

Collin Daniel Richards, age 22, has been charged with first-degree murder, a class “A” Felony, of Celia Barquin Arozamena, age 22, a senior in civil engineering at Iowa State.

“At approximately 10:24 a.m., officers were called to Coldwater Golf [Links]. Golfers had located a golf bag with no one around it on the course,” according to the press release.

Officers responded and located a body “some distance away” and determined the victim had been assaulted and died as a result.

“We are all devastated,” Iowa State head women’s golf coach Christie Martens said in a statement posted by the athletics department. “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.”    

Cmdr. Geoff Huff, of the Ames Police Department, would not say how long the body had been there during a press conference held Monday afternoon but said it had been there for a short time.

Barquin Arozamena was from Puente San Miguel, Spain, according to her profile on Iowa State Athletics, and was part of the 2017-18 women’s golf team.

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

Cmdr. Geoff Huff, of the Ames Police Department, said a body was found at Coldwater Golf Links shortly after an unattended golf bag was reported to Ames police at 10:24 a.m., during a press conference at the Ames City Hall on Monday.

“It is suspicious, and we think the public should probably be very wary right now,” Huff said. “So if you see anything suspicious, we ask that you call us.” 

In a statement on Iowa State’s Twitter, President Wendy Wintersteen said, “We were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Celia Barquin Arozamena … dedicated civil engineering student…talented student athlete and an acclaimed golfer with a bright future … a terrible, tragic, senseless loss.”

The Ames Police Department was assisted by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Iowa State University Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, Iowa State Patrol and the STAR1 Search and Rescue Team.

Police said anyone with information relating to this incident can call the Ames Police at (515) 239-5133 or the anonymous tip line at (515) 239-5533. People can also call Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at (515) 223-1400 or go to crimestoppersofcentraliowa.com.

Follow the Iowa State Daily for more information as it becomes available.