Mourners honor the life of 20-year-old found slain in her apartment
A stream of mourners came through Lea Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon to honor the life of Christina Matos, who was found dead in her apartment last week, apparently murdered.
Posted — UpdatedHer accused killer: Her newlywed husband Erick Gael Hernandez-Mendez.
Her 20th birthday was Good Friday – the last day she texted with her mom and dad.
And then Easter Sunday came, the day her parents would get the worst news any parent can ever get – their daughter, who her dad called his 'beautiful princess,' was gone.
Her father, Gerardo Matos, says what he wants now is peace for his daughter -- and justice.
He and other mourners declined to speak on camera, requesting to grieve in private.
But their traumatic story has the wider community grieving with them.
One of Matos' close friends since middle school revealed that Matos didn't feel safe around her husband, and even feared for her life.
Her friend said that Hernandez-Mendez married Matos so he could gain legal residency in the U.S., and that he'd give her $15,000 dollars -- money she planned to use to help her family.
At the suspect's court hearing Thursday, family and friends said they strongly suspect someone else was also involved in this murder.
WRAL asked Raleigh police on Sunday if they are looking into the possibility of other suspects, but a spokeswoman said she had no update on additional arrests.
The funeral for Christina Matos is Monday at noon at Lea Funeral Home.
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