Suspect jailed on $2 million bail in slaying of Texas highschool cheerleader

A suspect has been jailed on $2 million bail in the slaying of Texas highschool cheerleader Lizbeth Medina, whose physique was found within the bathtub of her house by her mom final week, based on authorities.

The suspect, recognized as 23-year-old Rafael Govea Romero, was arrested Saturday and was jailed on suspicion of homicide within the killing of the 16-year-old, based on police.

The Texas Rangers and Edna police positioned Romero underneath arrest in Schulenburg, Edna Police Chief Rick Boone stated in an announcement Sunday saying the arrest.

Medina was imagined to carry out together with her cheerleading squad at a Christmas parade in Edna on Tuesday, her mom, Jacqueline Medina, instructed Houston ABC station KTRK.

However when the teenager by no means confirmed up, her mom stated she went looking for her and in the end discovered her unresponsive within the bathtub of their house.

Romero’s seize got here a day after the Edna Police Division launched safety pictures of an individual and car of curiosity in Medina’s murder. The male individual of curiosity was described by police as presumably having a tattoo behind his proper ear and was seen within the photos sporting a black Volcom hooded sweatshirt. The individual of curiosity was additionally seen driving a silver Ford Taurus, mannequin yr starting from 2010 to 2018, police had stated.

Boone stated in an announcement on Monday that investigators obtained info on the suspect’s whereabouts on Saturday night. He stated a staff of regulation enforcement officers from the Edna Police Division and the Texas Rangers was assembled and went to a house in Schulenburg, the place the home-owner confirmed the suspect was on the location. The staff moved in and arrested Romero.

“Officers seized a motorcar and gadgets of proof tending to attach this suspect Romero to the homicide of Lizbeth Medina,” Boone stated within the assertion however didn’t disclose what the proof linked Romero to Medina’s slaying.

Romero was taken to the Jackson County Jail, the place he was booked on homicide expenses. A Justice of the Peace set his bail at $2 million, Boone stated.

In his assertion on Sunday, Boone described Romero as an “undocumented male topic.” On Monday, the chief stated the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement positioned a detainer on Romero.

Romero’s arrest additionally occurred whereas classmates and neighborhood residents of Edna held a candlelight vigil for Medina Saturday night at a gazebo outdoors the Jackson County Courthouse in Edna.

“Though Romero is apprehended, we acknowledge Lizabeth’s household and mates are grieving and nonetheless want help from the neighborhood,” Boone stated. “The residents of Edna can now sleep in peace.”

Police haven’t stated if there was any earlier relationship between Medina and Romero, or if the assault was a random incident.

MORE: Person of interest sought after mom finds teenage daughter dead in their apartment

Police have launched few particulars on the circumstances of Medina’s dying. An post-mortem report has but to be launched.

Jacqueline Medina stated she and her household moved to Edna, about 25 miles northeast of Victoria in southeast Texas, final yr.

She stated her daughter was honored earlier than her faculty’s soccer sport Thursday night time, the place the distraught cheerleading squad and her household wore purple — the teenager’s favourite coloration.

“My head is simply spinning all over the place, and I simply need solutions, I would like justice,” Jacqueline Medina instructed KTRK previous to the sport.

She stated her daughter had a “type coronary heart” and would give somebody the shirt off her again.

“You took an angel from me, and never solely from me, from lots of people who liked her,” Jacqueline Medina stated.

ABC Information’ Meredith Deliso contributed to this report.

Suspect jailed on $2 million bail in slaying of Texas high school cheerleader initially appeared on abcnews.go.com