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TUCSON- A local family's speaking out for the first time since their loved one was murdered more than three months ago.

27-year-old Nogales native Inez Santa Cruz went to San Antonio to visit a friend in September.

Her body was found the next day in Edwards County 150 miles from San Antonio.

A San Antonio man is under arrest charged with her murder, and the family is now raising money for travel expenses to Texas for court hearings.

The Santa Cruz family wants answers.

They want to know why someone would do such a thing to a woman who they say gave so much to the world.

Inez Santa Cruz travelled the world, was in the Navy and on the fast track to a successful career in medicine. But with two gun shots, all of that came to an end.

Erika Santa Cruz is her sister.

She was the first to hear the news from a police officer who came to her door.

"I couldn't believe it. I said no. It's not her. He said I'm really sorry, but they found her," said Erika.

Her mother is devastated.

"It's very hard. Very very hard, and I feel very empty," said Letty Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruz family is having a hard time understanding why anyone would want to take her life.

"I just wish I could hold her. Tell her much I love her. Just kiss her. I just want to hold her again," said her brother Rafael.

But all they can do is hold on tight to baby Inez, Erika's daughter.

"Every time I look at her it's like it's my sister," said Erika.

It's a bittersweet feeling.

"There's that whole in my heart that I just can't fill. Nothing can fill that hole," said Letty.

The family can only hope that with time, their hearts can heal, but first they want to face the suspect in person and ask him why?

In order to do that, the family needs help with travel expenses, so that they can attend court hearings.

They've opened an account at Chase bank under Leticia P. Santa Cruz.

You can donate to that account for Inez Santa Cruz.