The partially nude body of 18-year-old Lauren Daverin was discovered last month on the Mill Pond footbridge between Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road in Rockville Centre.
The suspect, 18-year-old Maxwell Sherman, has pleaded not guilty. His attorney has insisted he has a good defense and wants to go to trial.
The Long Beach man is charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bail.
"She was a really fun person and everyone loved to be around her," friend Samantha Maselli said. "She always had fun. There was a never a boring time when you were around her."
Her older sister posted a note to Daverin on a Facebook page set up to honor the teen.
"To my beautiful baby sister," she wrote. "I love you so much. Every part of my heart is broken and I cannot wait to meet you again in another life."
Daverin was married to an Air Force airman stationed in Louisiana.
Sherman will be arraigned on a grand jury indictment in Nassau County.
