On December 5, 2023, 16-year-old Lizbeth “Liz” Medina, a cheerleader at Edna High School, was discovered dead in her apartment at the Cottonwood Apartments in Edna, Texas. The tragic finding was made by her mother, Jacqueline Medina, after Lizbeth failed to show up at a Christmas parade where she was expected with her cheerleading team. Jacqueline’s worry led her to return home, where she found her daughter in the bathtub, stabbed to death.
Jacqueline Medina, a Nebraska transplant working in the renewable energy sector in Texas, spoke highly of her daughter, praising her exceptional maturity and compassionate nature. Jacqueline and Lizbeth were the sole residents of the apartment, and they were the only ones with access to it. Jacqueline had departed for work at 6 a.m., having woken Lizbeth for her cheer practice earlier. The final contact with her daughter was around 7:30 a.m. on the same day.
In connection with Lizbeth’s untimely death, Rafael Govea Romero, an undocumented immigrant, was apprehended in Schulenburg, Texas, on December 10 and charged with capital murder. Details regarding Romero’s connection to Medina or the nature of the alleged crime have not been disclosed by law enforcement. The investigation, spearheaded by the Edna Police Department with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers, is actively ongoing.
Prior to Romero’s arrest, initial reports had pinpointed a person of interest, releasing footage of a male with a possible tattoo behind his right ear, last seen in a black “Volcom” hooded sweatshirt, driving a silver Ford Taurus manufactured between 2010 and 2018. Romero’s apprehension has added layers to the already complex case.
Medina’s death has deeply affected the Edna community. As a sign of unity and memory, the Edna High School football team adorned purple shirts and ribbons during their December 7th game. Plans for a vigil and a candlelit memorial were made to celebrate Lizbeth’s life and her influence, reflecting the community’s sorrow and solidarity.
The Medina family has launched a GoFundMe campaign titled “Justice for Lizbeth Medina” to aid in their pursuit of answers and justice in this heartrending situation. Lizbeth, renowned for her intelligence and ambition, had planned to pursue a nursing degree at the University of Texas at Arlington.
The autopsy report remains pending, and the police have not disclosed any suspects beyond Romero. They continue to urge anyone with information to come forward, as they piece together the events leading to this alarming incident in the small town approximately 100 miles southwest of Houston.
