The family of a Milton woman says she was killed in Cancun over Thanksgiving weekend and now they're seeking answers.
Sativa Transue, 26, went to Cancun with her boyfriend, according to her sister, Mykayla.
Transue's boyfriend was arrested and remains in prison on homicide charges, according to the Riviera Maya News.
Mykayla said the family has had issues with the 31-year-old boyfriend for more than three years.
She told KHQ in Spokane that texts from her sister showed that she needed stitches after an altercation on Nov. 26. By the next day, the US Consulate called to tell the family Transue was dead.
"I don't know. I don't know who I am without Sativa," Mykayla said. "I'm, I'm not Mykayla without Sativa."
During a press conference, police said they responded to a "family violence report" at a Cancun hotel. When they arrived, they found a dead woman, according to the Riviera Maya News. The woman was reportedly beaten.
The family now says they just want to bring Sativa home, but are having difficulty doing so.
They set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to bring Sativa's body back to the U.S. and cover funeral costs. Any leftover funds will be donated to a domestic violence charity in Sativa's name.
On Thursday, an official with the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State shared the following statement with KING 5 when asked about this case:
"The safety and welfare of U.S. citizens overseas is the highest priority of the Department of State. We are closely monitoring local authorities’ investigation into the cause of death and are providing the family all appropriate consular assistance.
When a U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Department provides all appropriate consular assistance to the family and friends. Depending on the situation, this can include attempting to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the death; providing information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to the United States; preparation of a Consular Report of the Death of an American Abroad; and assisting with the disposition of the U.S. citizen’s personal effects."