SCHULENBURG, Texas — An Edna, Texas teen who was found dead last week in a bathtub at her family's apartment was stabbed, according to police. That was some of the new information released Monday morning.
Lizbeth Medina, 16, was found dead by her mother on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Over the weekend, Texas Rangers arrested 23-year-old Rafael Govea Romero in Schulenburg, Texas.
Edna police on Monday said after the killing, they worked with the Texas Rangers to identify Romero as the suspect and determined he was at a home in Schulenburg. When they went to find him, police said the owner confirmed he was there. They also seized a vehicle, which they're processing, and items they said connected Romero to Medina.
Romero was charged with murder, according to police. They also said it could be upgraded to capital murder. His bond was set at $2,000,000 and Edna police said Immigrations and Customs has placed a detainer on him.
Romero is currently in the Jackson County Jail.
Visitation for Lizbeth was held Tuesday, one week after her death, in Nebraska. A rosary will follow the visitation.
Edna residents said they were relieved to hear about the arrest, but they're not ready to rest easy.
"My hat goes off to Edna PD, the Texas Rangers and everybody that was involved," Edna resident Roy Castro said. "We know there’s been an arrest made but, of course, we have to get the story behind it."
"We have a great police department here," Edna resident Jacklyn Law said.
Neighbors said the crime has left an impact on the community.
"It's kind of taken a toll on the whole community," Castro said.
The residents said the tight-knit community is finding a sense of comfort knowing the suspect was in custody.
"I'm glad they caught somebody," Edna resident Larry Guerrero said. "It's awesome. Good work."
Mother of cheerleader killed wants justice
Jacqueline Medina was left heartbroken and demanded justice for her daughter. The family set up a GoFundMe account to help with expenses.
She and Lizbeth had only lived in Edna for about a year. Jacquelin said she's now living a nightmare.
"The most horrible way a mother could find her child. She was murdered in cold blood," she said.
Lizbeth was her only child and had so much to look forward to in life.
"It should have been a great day because she was involved in the Christmas parade. She was going to be with the cheer squad," Jacquelin said.
Lizbeth never made it to the parade.
"I lost it. She was my world, my everything. ... Everything I do was for her," Jacquelin said.
Jacquelin said she feels broken and lost without her best friend.
"Someone dared to go in and just rip my daughter away from me, it just kills me," she said. "I just want answers to why they would do this to an amazing little girl who would never hurt anyone, wouldn't dare to hurt anyone."
Jacquelin said she has felt the love and support from the small town.
"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," Jacquelin said.