Family to Rihanna: Dump Chris Brown!

In the aftermath of the alleged beating at the hands of Chris Brown that left her badly injured, Rihanna's family is reeling, having never seen it coming.

Several family members have spoken out from her native country of Barbados, where the singer traveled after the violet incident two Sundays ago.

Brown "flew so far under everyone's radar that we just didn't think he was that [abusive] type," a relative tells People magazine in its new cover story.

Chris was arrested February 8 for allegedly assaulting Rihanna in Los Angeles.

He was booked on suspicion of criminal threats, having (according to her) told Rihanna he would kill her in addition to leaving her bruised and unconscious.

He has not been seen since, but issued an apology through a spokesman, saying he sought therapy. Rihanna was said to be unmoved by the vague statement.

Nobody in Rihanna's family - or the celebrity gossip world - saw a brutal assault at the hands of her boyfriend Chris Brown coming. [Photos: Splash News Online]

Brown will likely face charges from the L.A. District Attorney. The question is what kind - criminal threats carry a longer sentence, but are more difficult to prove, so some believe a felony assault / battery charge is much more likely.

The turn of events comes as a shock to Rihanna's family. "[Chris] was always looking after her needs," says another relative, "making sure she was happy."

Rihanna, who turns 21 on Friday, and Brown, 19, were a "perfect match," an MTV veejay who knows both music stars said. Now their future together is unknown.

But as far as her father, Ronald Fenty, is concerned, his daughter should "move on." A relative agrees: "I don't want her to go back to him. I don't think anyone does."