Brutal details emerge of Celia Barquin murder

Investigations into the murder of Celia Barquin have revealed brutal evidence that she was stabbed to death.

Rising star Barquin Arozamena, 22, a civil engineering student at the time of her death, was a native of Puente San Miguel, Spain and was studying at Iowa State University. She was European Ladies Amateur Champions 2018 and one of the most accompished golfers ISU had ever had on their team.

Investigators say barquin was attacked at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, Iowa, near campus. Her body was found on Sept. 17 in a pond next to the 9th hole, riddled with stab wounds.

Collin Richards, the 22-year-old man accused of murdering Barquin, entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ in court on Monday. As a result, a judge has scheduled a trial to begin on January the 15th. Richards, who spoke briefly during his appearance to confirm certain information, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.

It is reported that in the minutes after the murder, Richards showered at the home of Christopher Johnston, whose home is nearby. Johnston told officers that Richards was unkempt and covered in blood when he arrived at his house. He bathed, but refused Johnston’s offer to wash his clothes before departing with bloody clothes in a backpack.

Several days later, on Sept. 20, officers were called to the scene when a garage fire broke out at Johnston’s home. Search warrant documents revealed that investigators recovered two kitchen knives during their fire response that are believed to be connected to the murder.

An additional knife was found at a campsite where Richards was believed to be staying. The brutal nature of the murder is detailed here:

“The crime scene evidence indicated the victim sustained three cuts to the center of her chest above the breast area, a laceration at the hairline of the back of the head, a laceration between her shoulder blades, and a laceration on the left calf oft he victim’s leg,” reads one application. “The DCI Crime Scene team processed the crime scene and also located blood on the golf course fairway near the victim’s location.”

The Des Moines Register, which reviewed the documents, reported that an autopsy found her body had two different serration marks. According to the report, those wounds could have come from a knife with a blade four inches or longer. One or more of the knives found by officers matches that description.

On the day of the murder, Richards had a fresh cut on his hand that he tried to conceal from police. Investigators say that the cut was consistent with the serration on Arozamena’s wounds.

Investigators are seeking access to Richards’ Facebook page and Facebook messenger account, which they believe could hold more details regarding his involvement in the murder. He did not appear to have a cell phone.

Additional warrants show requests for a red shirt and other articles of Iowa St. clothing that Barquin Arozamena may have been wearing. She was discovered in a sports bra and golf skirt, according to police. 

Agents have recovered and seized several articles of clothing from Richards’ campsite as well as two tents, two blankets and a backpack.

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Iowa State University colleages devastated by Celia's murder