In the spring of 2018, the life of 21-year-old Serena Lee Garcia, a promising nursing student, was tragically cut short. On April 21st, she and a companion, 20-year-old Marcus Howard Denton, were discovered deceased inside a parked car in the 300 block of Bergamo Way in Colorado Springs. Both had suffered from apparent gunshot wounds in what was quickly determined to be a double homicide.
Serena, who was a student at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, was remembered as a
vibrant individual who had recently completed her CNA and was aspiring to become a Pediatric Oncology Nurse. She had a passion for music, enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, and cherished time spent with her loved ones. Born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she had moved to Colorado with her family in 2012 and graduated from Chaparral High School in 2015 before enrolling in university.
The investigation into the deaths of Serena and Marcus swiftly led to a suspect. A few days after the discovery of the victims, police arrested 19-year-old Nashid Rayon Rivers. He was subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the shootings that claimed the lives of the two young adults. The community was left reeling from the violent act that took two lives filled with potential.
In May of 2021, justice was served in a Colorado Springs courtroom. Nashid Rayon Rivers was convicted on all counts related to the 2018 shooting. His conviction included not only the two counts of first-degree murder but also charges of Second Degree Arson, Attempt to tamper with a deceased human body, Tampering with physical evidence, and Conspiracy to commit murder. Following the verdict, the court immediately sentenced him to two life terms in prison, ensuring he would be held accountable for his actions.
