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

[Chimera]

Is it true that he is an illegal alien? If he was arrested and tried for burglary last year, why was he still in the USA? Did he sneak into the country twice, was he not expelled after the first conviction, or is he not an illegal alien?

Good questions.

I imagine LE is checking ring and business video in areas that Lizbeth frequented in the months leading up to the killing to see if that red pickup truck featured as his FB cover appears. Might show if she was being stalked by him prior to the murder.

Exactly.
I think he knew she was alone after the mom left... aka stalking.
This could add premeditated to his charges ?
Omo.

 

[threesevenninefour]

Is it possible that his first arrest was before his visa expired? I admit I don’t know much about immigration law and I feel that it varies a lot state-to-state, but if someone has a valid visa does it mean that they are able to bail out on “minor” criminal charges and remain in the country? The visa could have then subsequently expired and caused him to have “undocumented” status.

 

[tlcya]

Records show Romero was arrested in Schulenburg last year on a burglary charge. He pleaded no contest.

Was his prior arrest before his visa expired? did he serve any time or get probation on the burglary charge last year? Hoping some news source provides more info on that previous incident. Is it possible his encounter with Lizbeth was unexpected and he killed her because he didn't want to be caught AGAIN committing burglary?

Still a lot of questions for me.

 

[dotr]

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[alexwood]

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At 0:48/1:43 of the video: "They arrested 23-year-old Romero at his family's house."

 

[tlcya]

At 0:48/1:43 of the video: "They arrested 23-year-old Romero at his family's house."

At 1:24/1:43 of the video: "We spoke to the family [Romero's family] after Romero's arrest. They tell us they didn't recognize him."

I don't think that refers to Romero's family but to Lizbeth's family not recognizing. I've seen other articles quoting that coming from her mother.

ETA link: Lizbeth's mother says the family doesn't know nor recognize Romero, and police haven't been able to determine a motive or any connection between Medina and Romero.
Murder suspect in cheerleader's stabbing held on ICE detainer

 

[ChatteringBirds]

IMO she probably did not know him. Her mother said she was a mature teenager, planning to attend college and become a nurse. It seems she was very social at her school, with other teens.

Whereas the suspect is the opposite kind of person. It just doesn't seem she'd secretly have time for someone like him.
JMO.

 

[Dotta]

I wonder if drugs played a role in this tragedy.

 

[alexwood]

I wonder if drugs played a role in this tragedy.

His drug use? I'd say yes. The victim's -- absolutely not. (IMO)

 

[tlcya]

IMO she probably did not know him. Her mother said she was a mature teenager, planning to attend college and become a nurse. It seems she was very social at her school, with other teens.

Whereas the suspect is the opposite kind of person. It just doesn't seem she'd secretly have time for someone like him.
JMO.

agree, I will be shocked if it turns out she knew him. But he he may well have known her, either through having seen into her at a game or at the gas station, or the local hangout. IF he targeted her I doubt she even saw it coming so to speak. I doubt he is one who would even register on her radar. But a popular pretty young girl, she would stand out to him I think.

I am currently torn between he was responsible for the prior breakin at her home and came back with her in mind, OR

he didn't expect to find anyone in the home and killed her when they encountered one another that morning.

 

[Dotta]

he didn't expect to find anyone in the home and killed her when they encountered one another that morning.

If he was a burglar, he would have known perfectly well if somebody was or wasn't in the place he was going to break in.

JMO

 

[tlcya]

If he was a burglar, he would have known perfectly well if somebody was or wasn't in the place he was going to break in.

JMO

I disagree. There have been many instances where a burglar was surprised by a resident they didn't know was present when they broke in.

 

[Dotta]

I disagree. There have been many instances where a burglar was surprised by a resident they didn't know was present when they broke in.

That is not how burglars operate IMO.

Besides,
this is the US.

Meaning,
a resident at home might have been armed.

And what exactly did he steal?

Things worth to be put in prison for the rest of his life?
By killing a resident.
Or be killed by an armed resident?

No way.

But it is Only My Opinion

 

[tlcya]

<modsnip>

My own opinion: considering the man has been caught burgling in the past he isn't exactly a SMART one. I will leave it at that and agree to disagree.

 

[shetalksinstereo]

<modsnip>

My own opinion: considering the man has been caught burgling in the past he isn't exactly a SMART one. I will leave it at that and agree to disagree.

My thought on it is, that he went with the intention to steal, and when there was a witness, panicked and killed her so she couldn't identify him since it could end up with him being deported.

 

[JoeFromLB]

This is Texas, a death penalty state. He'll get three meals a day and a quiet cell until his date with the needle. JMO

 

[arielilane]

Under 2 minute video:

A 23 yr old was arrested at his (RR) family’s home - investigators are trying to determine if LM and RR knew each other and he is undocumented with an expired visa.

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[Caylee Advocate]

I disagree. There have been many instances where a burglar was surprised by a resident they didn't know was present when they broke in.

Snipped from article:

(30). 28% of burglaries occur when someone is still in the house. (FBI)

42 Home Burglary Statistics 2025 You Wish to Know Earlier

The home burglary statistics and crime reports will help you get insights into how to keep secure and safe for your home, family and property.

reolink.com

 

[Cryptic]

His drug use? I'd say yes. The victim's -- absolutely not. (IMO)

I agree.

As a side note, even recreational drug- or even alcohol use by the victim is not likely. Cheerleaders are considered to be representing the school and the town. That goes double in a small Texas town.

Not only would proven drug / alcohol use lead to one being booted off the squad, but even social media hints of participating in, or affirming such activities, would likely also lead to being booted.

Though undoubtably there are cheer leaders in small town Texas that get away with a variety of conduct violations, there are still enforced expectations that cheer leaders and drill team members are to be rural Texas princesses first and foremost.

 

[Trino]

If he was a burglar, he would have known perfectly well if somebody was or wasn't in the place he was going to break in.

JMO

I wonder if there were other break-ins where he wasn't caught. Bets are he had done break-ins more than once.