EL PASO, Texas — Fort Bliss soldier Private First Class Asia Graham was found unresponsive in her barracks room on New Year's Eve 2020.
Pfc. Christian Alvarado is accused of sexually assaulting the 19-year-old while she was unconscious on December 30, 2019, almost exactly one year before her death.
Alvarado now faces a general court-martial on multiple sexual assault charges, including allegedly raping Graham.
Spectrum News 1 met with Graham's family ahead of the trial.
Nicole Graham said she would not have her North Carolina home if it had not been for her daughter's sacrifices.
"She wanted to go in to take care of me," Nicole said. "She thought the military would be a good place because her daddy was a soldier for 23 years."
She said Asia Graham joined the Army right out of high school.
"I just know when she passed away I got a lot of medals for her," Nicole said.
The 19-year-old was found unresponsive in her barracks room at Fort Bliss on Dec. 31, 2020. Her manner of death was ruled an accident, caused by mixed drug intoxication, according to an autopsy report obtained by the family from the Defense Health Agency.
"[I] fell in my son's arms and just screamed and screamed and screamed," Nicole said.
After the alleged assault, her mother noticed a change.
"She was just really a proud soldier and that was all before El Paso," Nicole said. "She lost her glow in El Paso."
Graham eventually came forward after the alleged assault.
"Pfc. Asia Graham did report a Dec. 2019 sexual assault while assigned to Fort Bliss. That report resulted in charges preferred to the alleged offender on October 22, 2020," explained Lt. Col. Allie Payne, director, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Public Affairs, via email correspondence.
"The problem of sexual harassment or rape in the military, it is not an isolated incident," said Nicole. "[I] want to encourage women to come forward."
Alvarado's trial is scheduled to begin June 14. Nicole said she will be there.
"I'm very scared, very anxious, very panicky," she said.
However, she will not be alone. Graham's brother, Anthony Graham, will be at his mother's side.
"I'm ready for it, you know what I'm saying? Like, I'm not about to let my sister die in vain," Anthony said.
Payne said the investigation into Asia's death is complete and the Army is in the process of making that report available to provide those details.