Man says he's sorry for killing former Iowa college golfer

Published Aug. 14, 2019 7:08 a.m. ET

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The homeless man who pleaded guilty to killing a former Iowa State golfer has told a judge that he's sorry for his crime.

A handwritten letter from 22-year-old Collin Richards says he wanted to show remorse "for stripping a life from society ... worse from a loving family." The letter was filed Tuesday into court records.

Richards is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 23 to life in prison. Police say he killed 22-year-old Celia Barquín Arozamena, stabbing her last September while she was playing on a course near the campus in Ames, leaving her body in a pond. Richards had been staying at a homeless encampment in nearby woods.

Barquín Arozamena was a top golfer in Spain as a teenager and came to Iowa State to pursue her career.