Woman killed in Arlington stabbing ‘touched so many lives,’ sister says

Virginia Rines, 36, remembered for her bold, fun personality

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A woman killed in a stabbing last week in Arlington is remembered as being a spiritual person who didn’t know a stranger.

Lisa Daniels said her sister, 36-year-old Virginia Rines, “was an amazing person.”

“She’s touched so many lives and I never realized how many until this week,” Daniels told News4Jax on Wednesday.

Daniels said Virginia Rines and her family moved to Jacksonville from Kentucky five months ago, looking for a fresh start.

“Her dream was always to live by the ocean,” Daniels said.

On Friday, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, a woman, identified by loved ones as Virginia Rines, was fatally stabbed at an apartment on University Boulevard. Police said three children were in the home at the time, one of whom called 911.

Nathan Rines, who Virginia Rines’ loved ones said was her husband of seven years, was arrested by JSO on a charge of second-degree murder. As of Wednesday, Nathan Rines, 40, was being held in the Duval County jail without bond.

“I never worried about her safety with him,” Daniels said.

Daniels said the tragedy has been hard to process.

“I still don’t believe it. I know it’s true. I know it happened, but I still don’t believe it’s real,” she said.

Daniels lives in Kentucky and now has custody of Virginia Rines’ three children, ages 6, 12 and 16.

Daniels said she would want her sister to know that “I will love her children like she did, that I will protect them like they’re my own and that she’s always going to be missed.”

Daniels said her sister’s bold and fun personality will always be remembered.

“She would be goofy just to make you laugh when you were sad,” she said.

Virginia Rines’ family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses.

Daniels said she hopes her sister’s death will bring awareness to domestic violence.

Domestic violence resources

If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of domestic violence or abuse, there are local resources available:

  • The Florida Domestic Violence Hotline, which will direct you to the nearest shelter, is 1-800-500-1119.
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24 hours a day. The number is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
  • The Betty Griffin Center in St. Johns County can be reached at 904-824-1555.
  • The hotline number of Quigley House in Clay County is 904-284-0061.
  • The hotline number of Micah’s Place in Nassau County is 904-225-9979.
  • The Hubbard House in Jacksonville can be reached by dialing 904-354-3114.

About the Author:

Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.