Family says Marine allegedly murdered by her husband was tough, full of life

CRYSTAL CITY, Va. - The family of a deceased Quantico Marine is still in shock after learning that she had been allegedly murdered by her husband - who is also a Marine - in a Virginia hotel.

Police found 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Natasha Rivera, of Stafford, Virginia, dead in the Crystal Gateway Marriott hotel that also hosted the Quantico Base Birthday Ball.

Her husband, 24-year-old Rodolfo Rivera-Valencia, is charged with her murder.

The Riveras were recently married - and they just had a baby.

Rivera's friends and family are remembering her as a vibrant person who would have fought back.

"She was full of life, she had more to give and it was taken away from her," said Leyda Cruz, a family friend.

They say she was living her dream both as a Marine, and as a new mother.

"She didn't get to raise her baby. It's not fair what he did," Cruz said.

The victim's sister says their mother will raise her child.

"My mom has sole custody of him and we are going to raise him exactly how my sister would have wanted him to be raised," she said.

It is still unknown what led to the 20-year-old's murder.

"I can imagine her fighting for her life because she's tough, very tough girl and I'm very proud of her. I just want the world to know she is a hero," Cruz said.

Rivera-Valencia is in jail without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court in December.