Family Believes Teen Was Murdered

When 18-year-old mother Natalie Guzman was killed by a hit and run driver on Sunday January 18, a bizarre twist involving two additional vehicles sent the community of Corona into shock. An ongoing investigation has found the section along Roosevelt Ave and 111th Street flooded with police cars, reporters, photographers and cameramen.
"I am destroyed." Those were the words spoken by Natalies mother, Miriam Toribio, to describe the impact of her daughters death. Now Toribio and Natalies grandmother, Josefa Toribio, are left to care for the teens 15-month-old daughter, Laritza.
"When my daughter got pregnant, she decided to go to school so she would have an opportunity to get a good job and raise Laritza," said Toribio. Natalie was working on her GED at LaGuardia Community College.
Her hopes and dreams for a future with her daughter ended in what is being viewed, after the testimony of eye-witnesses, as a potential premeditated homicide.
Sitting in the familys living room with candles and pictures of her granddaughter, Josefa Toribio echoed the belief that Natalie was murdered. "Those who killed Natalie have taken a piece of my heart."
Altagracia Coronado, Natalies aunt, told The Queens Courier that "she [Natalie] was afraid of something or someone, but she said nothing specific."
Although there is speculation surrounding the death, every theory centers around an apparent act of vengeance, heightened by an almost "gang-land" style of attack in which motor vehicles were used as murder weapons.
Olimpia Urena, a neighbor and a close friend of the Toribio family, told The Courier that Natalie Guzman was a very energetic and friendly young lady. According to Urena, everything began at Many Plays, an after-hours establishment located in the basement of La Sonrisa restaurant where Natlaie was working. "Natalie had a fight there, two weeks ago." Urena continued with, "Natalie and her mother had their differencescommon ones between a mother and a daughter but they always got together again."
Another neighbor, who spoke under conditions of anonymity said a quarrel had started in the bathroom at Many Plays on 37th Avenue between 99th and 100th Streets. Allegedly, Natalie entered the ladies bathroom and found a couple engaging in sexual activity. Natalie told them that they had to stop what they were doing and leave the bathroom. Thats when, the neighbor said, the trouble began. "After they argued the girl threw a drink in Natalies face. Natalie hit the woman and slapped the man. Then he threatened to kill her."
According to a police report, Natalie was hit by three different cars and it is a possibility that a video from a local stores security camera recorded a part of the accident. On Thursday police impounded a vehicle they believe may have been involved in the accident and are conducting DNA testing of material found on the cars grill to see if it is a match with Natalie Guzmans DNA.
Miriam Toribio said, "My daughter had a lot of friends. I never knew her to have such problems with someone. However, she had a strong personality. Young people now, they dont listen to anybody; it is impossible to control them, especially on streets. What was my daughter doing at a pool hall at 5:30 a.m?" she cried. "This baby [Laritza] is afraid of everything now; she does not want to eat or smile. Her mothers absence is tormenting this baby."
Natalie Guzman was buried on Saturday morning at Calvary Cemetary in Woodside.
The police department is asking for your cooperation to solve this case; if you have any information about this case please call (718) 217 3529 or (800) 577-TIPS. Any information you provided will remain confidential.