Texas mourns Jocelyn Nungaray: Hundreds turn out for funeral of murdered girl – as her family vows revenge against illegal migrants charged with her death

The 12-year-old Houston girl whose brutal murder shocked the country and reopened debate over the border crisis was laid to rest in Houston today, surrounded by hundreds of Texans who came to pay their respects.

The death of Jocelyn Nungaryay, who was strangled, tied up and then thrown into a bayou, has drawn national attention because the two men accused of her death illegally entered the U.S. through El Paso, Texas.

Venezuelans Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, are accused of first-degree murder.

“We will get them and they will get what they deserve,” the girl’s great-aunt Julie said through tears Thursday during her funeral service.

Investigators believe the men sexually assaulted Nungaray and murdered her on June 16. When her body was found, she was naked from the waist down.

The Texas girl whose death sparked a national debate over the open border was buried Thursday in Houston

However, the men have not yet been charged with rape. Local prosecutors say they are waiting for forensic evidence from the laboratory. That process may take some time.

“Today is the last day I can see you in person and touch you one more time,” Julie suppressed her tears.

“We’ll see you again… I promise.”

The young girl was remembered by her nickname ‘Jocey-‘, who enjoyed reading fantasy books, especially Harry Potter.

Her hour-long funeral was open to the public and attended by First Lady Cecilia Abbott of Texas and the state’s lieutenant governor.

They sat in the front row and knelt by the girl’s mother at the end of the service to offer her comfort.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick even went so far as to cover his mouth while speaking to the girl’s mother so no one could see what he was saying to her.

First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott (center) stands next to Lt. Governor Dan Patrick as they address the other of Jocelyn Nungaryay at her funeral in Houston Thursday

Nungaryay’s great-uncle Julie looks at the girl’s coffin and says, “We will get them and they will get what they deserve,” about her lover’s killers

Large groups of people who wanted to attend the funeral, some who had driven hours to be at the funeral and could not fit into the Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home, listened to the service from the parking lot.

They heard the songs Coney Island babya 1962 song by The Excellents, and Young and beautiful by Lana Del Rey sounds.

While no one commented on the manner in which Nungaryay was killed on duty, the Democratic mayor of Houston did speak of the difficult conversations that still needed to be had.

“We’re going to talk to our leaders about immigration,” Mayor John Whitmire said.

“We’re going to hold people accountable if they don’t listen to us. We don’t want to repeat this.’

The body of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl who was murdered in Houston, Texas by two Venezuelan migrants, is carried to her final resting place on the day of her funeral.

Her funeral expenses were paid by a local businessman after the family indicated they could not afford the costs themselves

Jocelyn Nungaray’s mother, pictured in the middle of the photo looking down next to a little boy in sunglasses, said nothing on behalf of her daughter

After the service, Jocelyn’s casket was transported from the funeral home to the cemetery in a horse-drawn carriage with white horses.

The funeral expenses were covered by local celebrity and businessman ‘Mattress Mack’, whose real name is Jim McIngvale.

When the tragedy occurred, local authorities asked for help as the girl’s family could not afford the costs.

The funeral was held privately for family only, but the rest of the mourners were invited to one of Mattress Mack’s stores afterwards.

‘We’re not leaving; we’re going to keep an eye on this case,” Whitmire reassured the Nungaray family.

‘You call us when you need us. Houston is your family forever.”