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A SUSPECT has been arrested in connection with a 16-year-old girl’s gruesome murder.
Lizbeth Medina was found unresponsive in the bathtub on Tuesday in Edna, Texas, about 140 miles southeast of San Antonio, by her mother, Jacqueline.
The mom was reportedly going to their apartment to search for her daughter after the teen did not show up for a cheer event she had been expected to attend, per local Fox affiliate KABB.
Edna Police were immediately called and pronounced Lizbeth dead at the scene.
Her cause of death has yet to be revealed by the coroner’s office.
“Nobody ever wants to see your child in the bathtub the way I found her,” Jacqueline told the outlet.
“The curtains were closed, so I didn’t see her — but when I opened those curtains. I just want justice for my baby.”
Texas Rangers later identified undocumented migrant Rafael Romero as a suspect in the teen’s killing.
Authorities later located Romero in Schulenburg, about 62 miles southeast of Edna.
He was arrested on Saturday by the Texas Rangers on charges of capital murder — the sentence for which is the death penalty in the Lone Star State, per NBC News.
Lizbeth was said to be beloved by those who met her and had dreams of becoming a nurse.
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“Lizbeth was outgoing and confident — someone willing to take off her shirt to give it to someone else,” Ana Medina, Lizbeth’s aunt, told the network.
“She was always there for everybody — charming, young, and full of energy. That was all just cut short.”
On Saturday night, community members put together a vigil for the slain cheerleader.
Edna Police Chief Rick Boone wrote in a Facebook update on Sunday how committed his department is to finding justice for Lizbeth.
“As you know, we are a small department and this can call for a great demand to be put on my officers,” Boone wrote.
“They not only stepped up during their own shifts, but worked many hours willingly on their days off and past their own shift times.”
In the post, he thanked over thirteen agencies and organizations who have aided in the investigation.
A GoFundMe has also been set up on behalf of the Medina family to raise money for funeral expenses.
At the time of writing, $16,862 has been reached toward a $20,000 goal.
“As a family we are asking the community for help to not only get Justice for my sweet Lizbeth but for any support that you can offer to my family at this time anything is appreciated,” the site, created by Lizbeth’s aunt, read.
“We would also like to thank everyone in the Edna community that has been supporting us in this difficult time.”