Top amateur golfer Celia Arozamena allegedly killed by homeless man on Iowa golf course

  • 19/09/2018

A top female amateur golfer from Spain has been killed on a golf course in the United States. 

The body of 22-year-old Celia Arozamena, who ranked among the top players in the US, has been found on a golf course in Iowa. 

Police were called to Coldwater Golf Links in the Iowa city of Ames, after golfers discovered an abandoned bag left on the ground.

They found Ms Arozamena's body nearby, dumped in a pond. 

Examiners determined that the woman had been assaulted before she died, The Independent reports. 

The victim suffered "several stab wounds to the upper torso, head and neck," Ames police said in a criminal complaint.

A 22-year-old man, Collin Daniel Richards, has been charged with first-degree murder following a police investigation, The Kansas City Star reports. 

Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said authorities believe Richards to be homeless and said the crime is believed to be "a random act of violence."

"Celia had an infectious smile, a bubbly personality and anyone fortunate enough to know her was blessed," Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said in a news release.

Ms Arozamena was due to finish her civil engineering degree this term. 

The young woman - originally from Puente San Miguel in Spain - was named the 2018 Big 12 champion and Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year, according to The Independent

She was ranked 69 nationally by Golfweek, and was only the third Iowa State University women's golfer to compete in the US Women's Open Championship. 

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