Manhunt for mystery man with tattoo behind his right ear who was seen wearing black Volcom sweatshirt after cheerleader, 16, was found dead in the bathtub of her Texas apartment
Police in Texas are looking for a man with a distinctive tattoo behind his right ear and who was wearing a black “Volcom” sweatshirt after a teenage cheerleader was found murdered in her family apartment.
Surveillance photos released by the Edna Police Department show the suspect wearing the trademark black clothing. It is also believed he was driving a silver Ford Taurus, which was also caught on camera.
The search for the man comes after the death of 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina, who was found dead Tuesday in a bathtub in Edna, a small town outside Houston, by her mother Jacquelin Medina.
Very few details have been released about the investigation into Lizbeth's death, although police are approaching the investigation as a possible murder case, meaning the perpetrator is eligible for the death penalty.
The heartbroken mother said her daughter would be in a hospital Christmas paraded her cheers on Tuesday, but never showed up.
Police in Texas are looking for a man with a distinctive tattoo behind his right ear and who was wearing a black “Volcom” sweatshirt after a teenage cheerleader was found murdered
Surveillance photos released by the Edna Police Department show the suspect wearing the trademark black clothing and appears to have a tattoo behind his right ear
Lizbeth attended Edna High School and dreamed of studying nursing at Arlington University
The suspect is also believed to have been driving a silver Ford Taurus, which was also captured on surveillance cameras
The suspect was also believed to be wearing a black 'Volcom' sweatshirt
βWe understand the community wants information about the case, but we must keep the integrity of the investigation our first priority,β EPD Chief Rick Boone said in a social media post.
“We also understand that the community is concerned about the individual who is still at large.”
The Edna Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Ranger Division are all actively investigating Lizbeth's death.
According to a news release, officers were dispatched to Cottonwood Apartments last Tuesday around 6:57 p.m.
βUpon arrival, officers believed the boy was deceased,β the release said.
'[It was] the worst way a mother can find her child. She was murdered in cold blood,β mother Jacquelin said I LOVE.
βIt was supposed to be a great day because she was involved in the Christmas parade. She was supposed to be with the cheerleading squad,β Jacquelin continued.
'I lost it. She was my world, my everything. … Everything I do was for her. Someone dared to go in and rip my daughter away from me, it just kills me,β she said.
“I just want to answer why they would do this to an amazing little girl who would never hurt anyone, wouldn't dare hurt anyone.”
The small community of Edna, home to about 6,000 people, has been rocked by events.
βShe was a very good girl, and lately I've been receiving messages from hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people. And it surprises me because I didn't know how much everyone loved her,β Jacquelin said.
Her mother, Jacquline Medina (left) described her daughter's gruesome discovery as 'The most horrible way a mother could find her child'
16-year-old Lizbeth Medina was found dead by her mother in her apartment in Edna, Texas on Tuesday
Emergency medical services arrived on the scene and tried to revive Lizbeth, but were unsuccessful.
It is not yet known how exactly Lizbeth was killed, but someone who posted about her death on Facebook said she was “brutally murdered in her own home.”
Lizbeth, who was also named Liz and was a junior at Edna High School, planned to attend Arlington University to study nursing.
βShe was a beautiful and talented girl full of life and many dreams,β a loved one revealed on Facebook.
Her mother posted a video of Liz cheering at a football game at her school, saying, “My darling, you didn't deserve to be taken from me like this… you had great plans for your future.”
'Such a wonderful girl. I love you mija…'
It is unclear exactly how Lizbeth was killed, but police have now launched a murder investigation into her death
When she first discovered her late daughter in their home, Jaquline told KHOU she “lost it.”
“Someone had the nerve to come in and just rip my daughter away from me, it just kills me.”
“I just want to answer why they would do this to an amazing little girl who would never hurt anyone, wouldn't dare hurt anyone,” her mother said.
The support of the small town community makes Jacqueline feel loved and supported as she grieves her daughter.
A friend who cheered along with Lizbeth posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, saying: 'The loss of a friend like you is something that can never be recovered. You have always been an important part of our lives.β
'Words can't describe what I feel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the people you left behind. Rest in peace beautiful, we love you so much.β
Jacqueline said she didn't realize how many people her daughter influenced and “how much everyone loved her.”
A friend who cheered along with Lizbeth posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook about her tragic death
The Edna football team and community plan to honor Lizbeth by wearing purple ribbons and shirts and a vigil will be held for her on Saturday.
During a football game on Thursday evening, the Edna football team and community plan to honor Lizbeth by wearing purple ribbons and shirts.
An image of a purple ribbon has also been circulating on social media, with Lizbeth's loved ones making it their profile pictures, along with the hashtag #JusticeforLiz.
A capital murder conviction in the state of Texas is defined as a capital crime punishable by life imprisonment, the death penalty, or life imprisonment without parole.
Those with information can call Edna police at 361-782-6522 or contact Crime Stoppers at 361-552-2274.