TX - Lizbeth Medina, 16, high school cheerleader, found dead in bedroom, murder suspect arrested - Edna, 5 Dec 2023

[Cool Cats]

All MOO - This REEKS of stalking and obsession to me - I doubt poor Lizbeth had the slightest clue who this man was. At this point there is no doubt in my mind that IMO he was the intruder who broke into the apartment a few weeks before Lizbeth died. I fully believe that he items he stole (going off the assumption that he was the intruder) were very small, essentially worthless items that he stole because they had meaning for him, because they were Lizbeth's. In my opinion he is the type who would steal things like hairbrushes, toothbrushes, socks, small clothing/jewelry items, etc. because they were his victim's.

I have thought from the very beginning of this case that this was a stalking situation and I continue to believe it more and more strongly as we hear additional information. I view him as an evil obsessive type who felt that he was entitled to Lizbeth. JMO

QUOTE
"This REEKS of stalking and obsession to me"
Wow! You are correct.

Texas teen found stabbed in bathtub likely stalked by illegal immigrant suspect who texted her friends: police​

Texas teen found stabbed in bathtub likely stalked by illegal immigrant suspect who texted her friends: police

Edna Police in Texas believe the illegal immigrant suspect charged with murdering 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina in her apartment had stalked her and texted other teens.

news.yahoo.com

Jacqueline, Lizbeth's mom, and Lizbeth had noticed little things that were going missing from their apartment for some time. On Nov. 13, they reported the missing belongings to police because some larger items had disappeared.

"After this person was caught and [police] found those specific things that were missing, that's when I knew it was connected," Jacqueline said.

"I believe the burglary from 11/13/2023 could have a connection with the murder suspect," an Edna officer wrote. I was especially concerned that the person believed to be the murder suspect was texting other high school students, leading me to believe the suspect was targeting students. ....Additionally, Lizbeth's boyfriend and friend received texted replies from her number Dec. 9, the day of Lizbeth's vigil.....

"Furthermore, I believe the public was in danger due to the stalking-like behavior displayed by the suspect via the potential connection of the 11/13/2023 burglary and driving through the apartment complex on 12/4/2023."

 

[Sjöberg]

I feel so sorry for the mother. From what I've read - her only child? I hope she can find a way to use her grief for something good - be it some stalking awareness thing, a legal change or a personal outlet like writing or painting. Cannot imagine what she's feeling right now. If there will be a victim impact statement, it'll probably leave us all in tears.

 

[iamshadow21]

QUOTE
"This REEKS of stalking and obsession to me"
Wow! You are correct.

Texas teen found stabbed in bathtub likely stalked by illegal immigrant suspect who texted her friends: police​

Texas teen found stabbed in bathtub likely stalked by illegal immigrant suspect who texted her friends: police

Edna Police in Texas believe the illegal immigrant suspect charged with murdering 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina in her apartment had stalked her and texted other teens.

news.yahoo.com

Jacqueline, Lizbeth's mom, and Lizbeth had noticed little things that were going missing from their apartment for some time. On Nov. 13, they reported the missing belongings to police because some larger items had disappeared.

"After this person was caught and [police] found those specific things that were missing, that's when I knew it was connected," Jacqueline said.

"I believe the burglary from 11/13/2023 could have a connection with the murder suspect," an Edna officer wrote. I was especially concerned that the person believed to be the murder suspect was texting other high school students, leading me to believe the suspect was targeting students. ....Additionally, Lizbeth's boyfriend and friend received texted replies from her number Dec. 9, the day of Lizbeth's vigil.....

"Furthermore, I believe the public was in danger due to the stalking-like behavior displayed by the suspect via the potential connection of the 11/13/2023 burglary and driving through the apartment complex on 12/4/2023."

Sometimes I hate being right.

TX - Lizbeth Medina, 16, high school cheerleader, found dead in bedroom, murder suspect arrested - Edna, 5 Dec 2023

The suspect reminds me a little of the suspect in Rachel Morin’s murder, though Rachel’s killer looked bow legged and swayback from the Ring camera footage (complete long shot since Rachel was murdered in MD and the previous home invasion was in L. A. )I realize it’s much more likely to be...

www.websleuths.com

I would have much preferred to be wrong, for this poor girl to have startled a home intruder there to do nothing but nick things and died before she knew anything about it, as painlessly as possible.

Better still if she were still alive, and none of us ever knew her name unless she lived a life of great renoun and achievement. Instead, she gets a box, and no life at all. And for what?

Some days I really struggle to play the glad game when stuff like this happens.

MOO

 

[Dotta]

It didn't seem a typical burglary:
the time, cctv, no significant things stolen.

I think nearly all agreed here that the teen girl was the aim of the perp

JMO

 

[10ofRods]

QUOTE
"This REEKS of stalking and obsession to me"
Wow! You are correct.

Texas teen found stabbed in bathtub likely stalked by illegal immigrant suspect who texted her friends: police​

Texas teen found stabbed in bathtub likely stalked by illegal immigrant suspect who texted her friends: police

Edna Police in Texas believe the illegal immigrant suspect charged with murdering 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina in her apartment had stalked her and texted other teens.

news.yahoo.com

Jacqueline, Lizbeth's mom, and Lizbeth had noticed little things that were going missing from their apartment for some time. On Nov. 13, they reported the missing belongings to police because some larger items had disappeared.

"After this person was caught and [police] found those specific things that were missing, that's when I knew it was connected," Jacqueline said.

"I believe the burglary from 11/13/2023 could have a connection with the murder suspect," an Edna officer wrote. I was especially concerned that the person believed to be the murder suspect was texting other high school students, leading me to believe the suspect was targeting students. ....Additionally, Lizbeth's boyfriend and friend received texted replies from her number Dec. 9, the day of Lizbeth's vigil.....

"Furthermore, I believe the public was in danger due to the stalking-like behavior displayed by the suspect via the potential connection of the 11/13/2023 burglary and driving through the apartment complex on 12/4/2023."

This is terrifying and horrifying. And it's not the first time. We actually had a series of unlawful entries into our current home (turned out it was the neighbor - a woman - long story; police did nothing, they wouldn't look at what we considered to be proof; her goal was identity theft, which she accomplished; we were warned about her by her other neighbor shortly after moving in). It is very hard to wrap one's mind around the fact that some people actually feel compelled to do this.

I've known others who had people do this. Hidden cameras in the home, checked frequently, with a sticker on the door advising of their existence are essential for modern living. People resist them if landlords try to put them in hallways or common areas (not sure why; luxury buildings almost always have this). And of course, someone has to monitor the system somehow (there are good systems that automatically alert when humans are active in spaces and record that video where it can be viewed the next morning easily and quickly).

The existence of those text messages is chilling. I want to this criminal defendant had to have been stupid beyond belief - but also completely compelled by whatever psychological forces were driving this behavior. It's hard to find words, but this is close to being reptilian behavior - that part of our brain that is ancient, compulsive, and not the part of our brain that makes moral judgments. How people become this way is still a mystery. One cannot simply say "genes" for something like this. I have a friend (a psychiatrist) who does nothing but study/treat such people and has done so for his whole career - his theories, based on his data, are chilling.

IMO.

 

[tlcya]

I thought the previous breakin was connected and now this is validated. What I am curious about now is was the first breakin targeted specifically because she was already being stalked by him? Or did the first breakin inadvertently bring Liz to this creep's awareness and the stalking and subsequent breakin(s) came as a result of him becoming focused on her after that first one.

How frightening.

 

[10ofRods]

I thought the previous breakin was connected and now this is validated. What I am curious about now is was the first breakin targeted specifically because she was already being stalked by him? Or did the first breakin inadvertently bring Liz to this creep's awareness and the stalking and subsequent breakin(s) came as a result of him becoming focused on her after that first one.

How frightening.

I would bet that the stalking came first. Watching the patterns at the apartment, watching Lizbeth. I don't think it was his first set of break-ins, but I do believe he was targeting the place due to the presence of this beautiful girl.

IMO

 

[Chimera]

Texas migrant indicted on capital murder charge for cheerleader

Rafael Govea Romero (left), 23, is accused of 'intentionally' killing Lizbeth Iniguez Medina (right) in her mother's apartment in Edna, southern Texas on December 5, 2023.

www.dailymail.co.uk

• Illegal immigrant is indicted for capital murder of Texas cheerleader, 16, who cops feared he also tried to sexually assault after stalking and burglarizing her home, as victim's mom calls on prosecutors to 'make him pay'​

• Romero butchered the teenager by striking her head on the ground or with a hard object, while repeatedly stabbing her, according to the indictment

• The attack came as he attempted to commit 'burglary, robbery, or aggravated sexual assault' the document says - he could face the death penalty if convicted

An illegal immigrant suspect in the brutal stabbing of a 16-year-old cheerleader has been indicted on capital murder charges by a grand jury.
An investigation into whether Lizbeth was sexually assaulted is ongoing.
Red emphasis mine.

How awful for Lizbeth !
They'd have done a rape test kit on her remains by now, correct ?

It'd be nice to hope for the severest penalty allowed, but as he is an undocumented illegal -- will it be more likely deportation ?
I think they can add premeditated to the charges as well.
Omo

 

[JoeFromLB]

I doubt very much that he'll be deported. There's a cell waiting for him on Death Row. Get it done, Texas!

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Prior to the death of the teenage cheerleader, her residence had been burglarized on Nov. 13, 2023, and police confirmed that Jacqueline Medina had reported missing belongings, the report noted.

“I believe the burglary from 11/13/2023 could have a connection with the murder suspect,” an Edna Police Department officer stated in an affidavit.

“I believed the suspect of this murder was at large and a present danger to the community.”

Authorities managed to track down Romero through the 16-year-old’s phone and arrested the illegal immigrant, placing him on a $2 million bond

Grand jury indicts illegal immigrant on capital murder following death of high school cheerleader

A grand jury in Texas indicted an illegal immigrant on capital murder following the brutal stabbing death of a high school cheerleader.

www.washingtonexaminer.com

 

[Eli9]

Happening now.

Texas teen Lizbeth Medina murder: What to know about illegal immigrant suspect Rafael Romero

Rafael Govea Romero, the suspect in Texas 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina's December murder, is set to be arraigned on Thursday. Romero was in the country illegally from Mexico.

www.yahoo.com

Rafael Govea Romero, the suspect in Texas 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina's December 2023 murder, is set to be arraigned Thursday in Jackson County.

 

[SpiderFalcon]

Romero arraigned in Lizbeth Medina murder case

Rafael Govea Romero was arraigned Thursday in Edna on capital murder charges in the death of 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina.

www.victoriaadvocate.com

 

[tlcya]

Romero exhibited “stalking-like behavior” toward the teen, according to police records detailing video of the man in his car outside Lizbeth’s apartment weeks before her death.

from @SpiderFalcon's link above.

I still think of Lisbeth's mom often and wonder how she is doing. I can't begin to imagine how she feels.

 

[Eli9]

Romero exhibited “stalking-like behavior” toward the teen, according to police records detailing video of the man in his car outside Lizbeth’s apartment weeks before her death.

from @SpiderFalcon's link above.

I still think of Lisbeth's mom often and wonder how she is doing. I can't begin to imagine how she feels.

Really beautiful article at link. The mother describes so many of LM's wonderful attributes.

‘Lizbeth was my world and I’m going to fight’: Mother of murdered Edna cheerleader shares story exclusively with KPRC 2

Jacqueline Medina seeks justice for her daughter

www.click2houston.com

Medina moved out of the state after her daughter’s death. On Thursday, she returned to Edna, hoping to catch a glimpse of her daughter’s accused killer during his arraignment.

“I wanted to see his face for the first time. I wanted him to see me and realize that mommy’s here. Liz’s mommy is here, and she’s going to fight until I get justice,” said Medina.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Man found competent to stand trial in Edna HS cheerleader capital murder case

Rafael Romero appeared in court Thursday, where a Jackson County judge announced he is now competent to stand trial.

www.click2houston.com

February 8, 2025

Rafael Romero appeared in court Thursday, where a Jackson County judge announced he is now competent to stand trial.

*****
KPRC 2’s Corley Peel spoke with Jacqueline Medina after she saw her daughter’s killer in court for the first time. Medina said she sat directly behind Romero to make sure he saw her.

“It was terrible,” Medina said. “I held up a little better than what I expected. I just became close to losing it. I just kind of wanted to make a statement that, you know, hey, I’m here. When he walked into that room, we made eye contact. I was feeling so many things. I couldn’t stop shaking. I had to breathe and calm down because I know I needed to sit in there.”

*****
Romero was expected to go to trial in December of 2024. Two months before the date, his attorneys filed several motions, asking the judge to push back the date to allow Romero to undergo a mental health evaluation and comb through digital evidence.

The trial was once again, pushed back. Romero is now expected to face a jury later this year on Aug. 11.

*****
More in linked article.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Rafael Romero is charged with capital murder in connection with the death of 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina. His trial is slated to begin in August. Jury selection is set for Aug. 11.

Trial set to begin for man charged with capital murder in Edna cheerleader's 2023 death

Lizbeth Medina, 16, was found dead in December 2023. The man charged in connection with her death, Rafael Romero, has been deemed competent to stand trial.

www.khou.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

There’s a case in Georgia, Brianna Long who was shot and killed, GBI released images but suspects yet to be identified. I’m relieved this person was identified quickly.

GBI charges 2 suspects with murder for bar shooting that killed college student

Brianna Long was working at a Georgia bar on Oct. 29, 2023 when she and another employee were shot.

www.wjcl.com