In a significant development, the Edna Police Department, with the assistance of the Texas Rangers, apprehended Rafael Govea Romero in Schulenburg, Texas, on Saturday. The charges against him include capital murder in connection with the tragic death of 16-year-old Edna High School cheerleader Lizbeth Medina. It was disclosed that Romero resided in Schulenburg and was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Jackson County Jail.
This past Tuesday, Lizbeth Medina’s mother, Jacqueline Medina, found her lifeless in a bathtub at their apartment, which is when the distressing incident started. The exact cause of her death has yet to be disclosed to the public.
Expressing the community’s sentiments, Edna Police Chief Rick Boone stated in a news release, “Although Romero is apprehended, we recognize Lizbeth’s family and friends are grieving and will still need support from the community.”
Although the news of the arrest has brought some relief to Edna’s residents, they are still on guard and cautious about premature closure.
Roy Castro, an Edna resident, acknowledged the efforts of the Edna PD, the Texas Rangers, and all involved, saying, “My hat goes off to Edna PD, the Texas Rangers, and everybody that was involved. We know there’s been an arrest made, but, of course, we have to get the story behind it.”
Jacklyn Law, an Edna resident, expressed confidence in the local police department, stating, “We have a great police department here.”
According to neighbors, the crime has had a profound impact on the community. Roy Castro commented, “It’s kind of taken a toll on the whole community.”
Despite the challenges, residents find solace because the suspect is now in custody. Larry Guerrero, another Edna resident, expressed relief, saying, “I’m glad they caught somebody. It’s awesome. Good work.”
A Mother Seeking Justice and Support For Tragic Loss
In the wake of a tragic incident, Jacqueline Medina, the grieving mother of the slain cheerleader, is earnestly seeking justice for her daughter. Overwhelmed by heartbreak, she has initiated a GoFundMe account to alleviate the financial burden resulting from the tragedy.
Having resided in Edna for just about a year, Jacqueline described her current reality as a nightmare. She lamented, “The most horrible way a mother could find her child. She was murdered in cold blood.”
Lizbeth, Jacqueline’s only child, had a promising future ahead of her. The family expected it to be a joyous day, as Lizbeth was actively participating in the Christmas parade with the cheer squad.
Regrettably, Lizbeth never made it to the parade, leaving Jacqueline devastated. “I lost it. She was my world, my everything… Everything I do was for her,” she expressed, highlighting the profound impact of the loss on her life.
A Mother’s Agony: Seeking Answers Amidst Community Grief and Love
Expressing her deep sense of loss, Jacquelin conveyed the profound impact of her daughter’s death, describing the feeling of being broken and adrift without her best friend.
Reflecting on the tragedy, she expressed the pain of someone callously taking her daughter away, saying, “Someone dared to go in and just rip my daughter away from me, it just kills me. I just want answers to why they would do this to an amazing little girl who would never hurt anyone and wouldn’t dare to hurt anyone.”
Acknowledging the outpouring of love and support from the close-knit community, Jacquelin highlighted the ripple effect of Lizbeth’s death on the Edna community. She shared, “She was a very good girl, and recently, I’ve received messages from hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people. And it amazes me because I didn’t know how much she was loved by everybody else.”
