Suspect Charged with Murder Days After Slain Cheerleader Is Found in Bathtub by Mom
Rafael Govea Romero is charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Lizbeth Medina
Lizbeth Medina, left, and Rafael Govea Romero
A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a Texas cheerleader, who was found dead in a bathtub last week, police say. Rafael Govea Romero, 23, was arrested Saturday and charged with capital murder, days after 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina was found dead by her mother, the Edna Police Department says.
Police have not said if they believe he had any prior connection to Medina. Medina, a cheerleader at Edna High School, was supposed to be at a Christmas parade with her cheer squad that night, her mother, Jacqueline Medina, told the Victoria Advocate[1]. Jacqueline told Fox News[2] she found her daughter in the bathtub.
Police have not said how Lizbeth died. It is not immediately clear if Romero has retained an attorney or has entered a plea, police say. He is being held on a £2,000,000 bond.
“I would like to thank my crew here at Edna Police Department,” Police Chief Rick Boone said in a statement. “As you know, we are a small department and this can call for a great demand to be put on my officers. They not only stepped up during their own shifts, but worked many hours willingly on their days off and past their own shift times. They were dedicated to seeking justice for Lizbeth and it showed in their many many hours spent investigating this crime.”
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE‘s free True Crime newsletter[4] for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.[3] Lizbeth’s aunt, Ana, started a GoFundMe[5] to raise money for her family in the wake of the killing.
So far, it has raised over £18,000. “As a family we are asking the community for help to not only get Justice for my sweet Lizbeth but for any support that you can offer to my family at this time anything is appreciated,” Ana Medina wrote. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter![6]
Read the original article on People[7].
References
- ^ Victoria Advocate (www.victoriaadvocate.com)
- ^ Fox News (www.foxnews.com)
- ^ PEOPLE (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
- ^ ‘s free True Crime newsletter (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
- ^ GoFundMe (www.gofundme.com)
- ^ sign up for our newsletter! (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
- ^ People (people.com)