Marine accused of killing wife following military ball in Virginia, claims he blacked out

A U.S. Marine killed his wife following a military ball in Virginia earlier this month, authorities say.

Cops in Arlington found 20-year-old Natasha Rivera dead inside a hotel room on the morning of Nov. 3. Husband Rodolfo Valencia, who was at the scene, was taken into custody without incident.

Natasha Rivera was also a Marine, and the recently married couple were stationed at Quantico. They had an infant child.

Rodolfo Valencia, 24, had told a dispatcher just after 10 a.m. that his wife was unconscious and that he believed he had killed her, according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by the Free Lance-Star.

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Natasha Rivera had injuries consistent with strangulation and a "brutal" beating, a detective wrote, according to the newspaper. Her husband indicated he blacked out after drinking the night before and did not remember what happened, according to investigators.

The couple had attended a ball celebrating the Marine Corps' 243rd birthday, according to the Free Lance-Star.

Valencia was charged with murder. Anyone with information on the slaying should contact Arlington cops at (703) 228-4166.

With News Wire Services