Mother of Texas cheerleader stabbed to death by illegal migrant says it’s ‘heartbreaking’ to watch Laken Riley’s family endure same pain
The mother of a 16-year-old Texas cheerleader killed by an illegal immigrant in December is calling for change following the killing of nursing student Laken Riley.
Jacqueline Medina is the distraught mother of Lizbeth Medina, 16, who was allegedly stabbed by Mexican illegal immigrant Rafael Govea Romero in the bathtub of the apartment the mother and daughter shared.
Jacqueline has spoken out following the brutal death of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley from Georgia, who was also allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant.
Riley was allegedly murdered by 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan living illegally in the US, who is believed to have killed the young girl while she was jogging on February 22.
Lizbeth’s mother said that “as someone who has also lost a daughter to violence at the hands of an illegal immigrant,” she understands the “pain and devastation” that comes with “such a senseless act.”
Jacqueline Medina (left) is the distraught mother of Lizbeth Medina, 16 (right), who was allegedly stabbed by Mexican illegal immigrant Rafael Govea Romero in the bathtub of the apartment the mother and daughter shared.
‘Since the death of my daughter Liz in 2023, too many beautiful young girls have died from violence. We must come together as a society to create a safer world for all,” said Jacqueline
Jacqueline has spoken out following the brutal death of 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley (pictured), who was also ‘murdered’ by an illegal immigrant
Riley was allegedly murdered by 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra (pictured), a Venezuelan living illegally in the US who allegedly killed the young girl while she was jogging on February 22.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Laken Riley, and my heart goes out to her family at this difficult time,” Jacqueline said in a statement to Fox News digital.
Jacqueline told how she was ‘moved’ by the fact that both her daughter and Riley wanted to become nurses.
She presented a certificate won by Lizbeth, nominating her for the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence.
Lizbeth dreamed of becoming a nurse at the University of Texas at Arlington, her devastated mother said.
Jacqueline said there should be stricter laws to protect children. “It is a cruel and unfair reality that their dreams were shattered by senseless violence,” she said.
“I believe there should be stronger laws to protect our children and communities from individuals with violent criminal histories, regardless of their immigration status.”
She added that it is not about politics, but about “ensuring the safety and well-being of our loved ones.”
“While I recognize that not all illegal immigrants are the same, we must take action to prevent tragedies like this from happening again,” she said.
‘Since the death of my daughter Liz in 2023, too many beautiful young girls have died from violence. We must work together as a society to create a safer world for everyone.
“Let’s take care of each other and strive to make our communities a place where everyone can feel safe and protected.”
Lizbeth dreamed of becoming a nurse at the University of Texas at Arlington, her devastated mother said
Lizbeth’s mother said that “as someone who has also lost a daughter to violence at the hands of an illegal immigrant,” she understands the “pain and devastation” that comes with “such a senseless act.”
Lizbeth’s alleged killer Romero was charged with capital murder after he was arrested in Schulenberg, Texas, and charged on February 8.
He has been taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after the Edna High School cheerleader was found dead by her mother.
Officials also confirmed that Romero is an undocumented migrant from Mexico and has lived in the U.S. for the past five years. They did not clarify whether Romero entered the country with a valid visa or when his status expired.
Riley’s alleged killer Ibarra entered the United States through the United States-Mexico border in 2022.
He was arrested by Border Patrol for crossing the border illegally, but was released shortly after he was granted temporary permission to remain in the country, federal officials said.
Jacqueline told how she was ‘moved’ by the fact that both her daughter and Riley (pictured) wanted to become nurses
Lizbeth’s alleged killer Rafael Govea Romero, 23 (pictured), was charged with capital murder after being arrested in Schulenberg, Texas
Ibarra lived in New York City before moving to Athens, Georgia.
He shared an apartment with his brother, about a five-minute walk away, where he allegedly killed the young nursing student.
His brother worked as a dishwasher at the University of Georgia but was fired when school officials learned he had fake green card documents, Fox News reported.
Ibarra was arrested on February 23 and formally charged the next day.
He was charged with malice murder, murder, aggravated assault, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, obstructing a 911 call and concealing the death of another.