Hello. My name is Nancy. I am writing on behalf of my son and daughter-in-law Bill & Victoria.

On July 23, 2025 Victoria’s daughter Marissa suddenly and very unexpectedly passed away. Here is a little bit about Marissa. Marissa was 23yrs old, 24 weeks pregnant with her 2nd child (a son, Luca) and the mother of her 3 yr old son Asher, who is Autistic.

Marissa was a kind, loving and caring person. A daughter, sister, a mommy and friend to many. She was so full of life. Even after being diagnosed at the age of 18 with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome also known as EDS, she didn’t let anything get in her way or stop her from doing what she loved best in life. Marissa found so much joy in drawing, painting and doing many fun activities with her son Asher. She was his whole world. They had one of the closest bonds I’ve ever witnessed between a mother and child. She was a one on one mommy and it showed every day.

At the young age of 23, Marissa married the man she thought was going to love her and her son unconditionally. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Marissa found herself in an abusive marriage and moved to Tennessee to to protect herself, her son and unborn child. She wanted to start a new life for her and her children. Her fresh start was short lived. The unexpected happened during her final trip back to California to collect the rest of her belongings. While in California, on the day she was to fly home to Tennessee, Marissa was found dead in her father’s home. All of her dreams, her new beginnings, and the life she had planned on building for her and her children, was taken away in an instant.

Victoria knew in her heart that something was wrong when she couldn’t reach her daughter that morning but never imagined she would get that dreadful call that she received. Not only did she lose her daughter, she has also lost her unborn grandson.

Bill and Victoria have been taking care of their grandson Asher up until August 22 when the judge made the decision for them to return Asher back to family in California. Asher has such an incredible bond with his grandparents, Victoria and Bill, that not having him in their care is unbearable for both of them. They are trying everything to get Asher back in their care as they feel Marissa would’ve wanted. With the cost to fly back and forth to California, the court fees, and the attorney fees, the expenses are becoming overwhelming. This has been so much to take on all at once physically and emotionally. As a family, we are all doing as much as we can to help, but there’s only so much we can do due to most of the siblings having families of their own to take care of.

With everything going on and not knowing why Marissa passed,Bill and Victoria haven’t even had the time to process her death and grieve like they should be able to. I want nothing more than to help relieve some of the stress and help in any way possible so they can take the time they need to grieve and remember Marissa.

If you can find it in your heart to say a prayer, send a donation or even share their story, it would be greatly appreciated. They need all the love and support they can get to help bring Asher back home.