Police have said neighbors of slain Texas cheerleader Lizbeth Medina can “sleep in peace” after arresting a suspected illegal immigrant for her murder.
Mother Jacqueline Medina found her 16-year-old daughter dead in a bathtub at their home in the small town of Edna on Tuesday after she failed to show up for a Christmas parade.
Police on Friday released security camera footage of a suspect they wanted to show: a bearded man running toward a silver Ford Taurus.
And on Sunday morning, Edna police announced they had arrested “man without papers” Rafael Govea Romero in Schulenberg, about 50 miles north.
“The Edna Police Department and Texas Rangers immediately traveled to Schulenburg, where Romero was arrested for murder and transported to the Jackson County Jail,” they wrote.
Rafael Govea Romero was booked into the Jackson County Jail late Saturday night
Mother Jacqueline Medina (left) found the body of Lizbeth (right) dead in a bathtub at their home
The popular 16-year-old was scheduled to participate in a Christmas parade with her Edna High School cheerleader on the day she died
“Although Romero has been arrested, we recognize that Lizbeth's family and friends are grieving and continue to need community support.
“The people of Edna can now sleep in peace!”
Jacqueline last week described the horrific moment she discovered her daughter's body in the Cottonwood Apartments home they shared.
She had woken her daughter up as she left for work at 6 a.m. Tuesday because Lizbeth had to join her Edna High School teammates for cheer practice before the parade that afternoon.
But when Jacqueline went to the parade after work, her daughter wasn't there and she discovered that no one had heard from her since 7:30 am.
“I decided to look for her, and I kept calling her nonstop, and then it went straight to voicemail,” she said Fox news.
'I called a number of people, but no one knew anything. It wasn't until I walked into the restroom that I was on the phone with my boyfriend asking him to come help me look for her – then I (saw) her foot, and it was in the bathtub.
'And so I opened the curtains. There she was.'
'It was the worst way a mother could find her child. She was murdered in cold blood,” Jacquelin said
Police on Friday released security images of the man they were looking for, wearing a black 'Volcom' sweatshirt
He ran to a silver Ford Taurus in which he allegedly drove away
“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,” Lizbeth's mother said.
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.
Lizbeth, also named Liz, attended Edna High School and planned to study nursing at Arlington University.
The small community of Edna, home to about 6,000 people, has been shocked by the killing, and the Edna football team and community honored Lizbeth by wearing purple ribbons and shirts to a game on Thursday, as a vigil was held for her in the town held. on Saturday.
'It was the worst way a mother could find her child. She was murdered in cold blood,” Jacquelin said I LOVE.
“It was supposed to be a great day because she was involved in the Christmas parade. She was supposed to be with the cheerleader.
'I lost it. She was my world, my everything. Everything I did was for her. Someone dared to go in and 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.”
A Gofundme appeal has raised more than $15,000 for the relatives
Police have released few details about the case, citing the “integrity of the investigation.”
“We understand the community wants information about the case, but we must keep the integrity of the investigation our first priority,” EPD Chief Rick Boone said Friday.
“We also understand that the community is concerned about the individual who is still at large.”
They said “countless hours” had gone into the investigation “with the help of the community, friends and family.”
Jacqueline had only recently moved to the city from her home in Grand Island, Nevada, to take a job in renewable energy and said she and her daughter were the only ones with the keys to the apartment.
When asked whether she recognized the arrested suspect, she replied 'not at all'.
But she was grateful for the support of Lizbeth's friends.
“I've received messages from hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people,” she added.
“And I'm surprised because I didn't know how much everyone loved her.”
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.”
'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.”
a gofgundme The appeal for the family had raised more than $15,000 as of Sunday morning, and a Facebook page: Justice for Lizbeth Medina has attracted more than 200 members.
The Edna football team and community honored Lizbeth by wearing purple ribbons and shirts, and a vigil was held for her on Saturday.
A friend who cheered along with Lizbeth posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook about her tragic death
“I just want everyone to know that this was a great kid,” her mother said.
'She wasn't a normal teenager who got in trouble for doing crazy things. She was very mature for her age. 'She was a caring and loving person who, from what I know and from the messages I received, changed the lives of many people.
“I just want everyone to remember her that way and not the way she was taken from me.”
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.