Police have announced the arrest of a suspect in the murder of 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina, a high school cheerleader from Texas, who was found dead by her mother, Jacqueline, at their Cottonwood apartment in Edna on Dec. 5.
Rick Boone, chief of the Edna Police Department, revealed in a Dec. 10 press release that his officers, in conjunction with the Texas Rangers and more than ten federal, state, and local jurisdictions, had found and apprehended a suspect in the murder over the weekend.
According to Police Chief Boone, after “countless hours of investigating,” authorities were able to identify 23-year-old Rafael Govea Romero as a suspect in the murder. The alleged illegal immigrant was located in Schulenberg, a town 75 miles west of Edna, on Dec. 9.
Although a suspect has been taken into custody, Police Chief Boone said it was likely of little comfort to the family and friends of Lizbeth, who are still deep in mourning over the tragedy.
“We recognize Lizabeth’s family and friends are grieving and still need support from the community,” he said.
Motive for Murder Still Unknown
It’s unclear if Rafael Govea Romero was identified as the suspect in the released images or the evidence police have connecting him to the murder. Authorities have not released any other details regarding a potential motive for the murder or additional information about the suspect.Police said the case is being investigated as a capital murder. In Texas, capital murder is classed as the most severe form of homicide, involving specific aggravating circumstances elevating it beyond a standard murder charge. Convictions for capital murder have only two outcomes: life imprisonment without parole, or the death penalty.
Lizbeth was reportedly supposed to be with her cheer squad at a Christmas parade in Edna. However, when she realized her daughter wasn’t present, mother Jacqueline went in search of Lizbeth, eventually returning home to their apartment. First responders say they received a call around 7 p.m. local time for an unresponsive juvenile at the Cottonwood apartment complex. Despite efforts to revive her, Lizbeth was pronounced dead at the scene.
In statements to the media, Jacqueline said she thinks the murder of her daughter might be connected to a burglary gone wrong because a few weeks prior, the apartment had been robbed.
“She was just in her own home, and they broke in. And unfortunately, she was home at the time,” Jacqueline said.
Of finding her daughter on Dec. 5, the grieving mother said, “Once I found her, I realized she was gone. I called the police at that very moment.
“Words can’t explain what I felt at that moment, finding my daughter in the matter that she was. All I can say is that I hope with all my heart that there is justice with my daughter.”
