Rafael Govea Romero Arrested for Capital Murder of Edna Teen Cheerleader

EDNA, Texas – Rafael Govea Romero, a 23-year-old Mexican national, was arrested on Saturday and charged with the capital murder of 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina, a cheerleader from Edna, Texas. The arrest comes four days after Medina was found dead in her apartment by her mother, sending shockwaves through the small Southeast Texas town.

Medina, a beloved cheerleader at her local high school, was tragically found dead in a bathtub in their apartment. Her mother grew worried when she failed to show up at a Christmas parade where she was supposed to perform and decided to go home to look for her.

Arrest Made in Connection with Capital Murder

On Sunday morning, the Edna Police Department announced the arrest of Rafael Govea Romero. According to a press release, authorities were able to locate Romero, who was an undocumented male subject, in the city of Schulenburg. The Edna Police Department and Texas Rangers swiftly traveled to Schulenburg, where Romero was placed under arrest for Capital Murder and transported to the Jackson County Jail.

Details about Romero’s background and the circumstances of the killing, as well as how investigators tracked him to Schulenburg, have not been immediately disclosed. Schulenburg, located about an hour north of Edna along Interstate 10, became the focus of the investigation that involved multiple agencies, including the Edna Police Department, Texas Rangers, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas DPS.

A Tragic Loss for the Community

The tragic loss of Lizbeth Medina has left the community in mourning. KPRC, a sister station of KSAT in Houston, has been following the story closely and spoke to Medina’s grieving mother, Jacqueline Medina, on Thursday.

Medina’s mother shared, “She loved everybody. She cared for everybody. She loved cheerleading. When I would watch her, I would just see her face glow.” The loss of Lizbeth Medina has deeply impacted her loved ones and the community, and they will continue to need support during this difficult time.

Investigation and Appeal for Information

The Edna Police Department, in collaboration with the Texas Rangers, is actively investigating Lizbeth Medina’s death as a capital murder. However, specific details regarding the manner of her death have not been released to the public.

In an effort to gather more information and leads, the police department released images of a man and a vehicle that could potentially be connected to the crime. The man is believed to have a tattoo behind his right ear and was seen wearing a black “Volcom” hooded sweatshirt. He was driving a silver Ford Taurus.

Authorities urge anyone with information related to the case to come forward and contact investigators at 361-782-6522. Alternatively, individuals can provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 361-552-CASH (2274).