On December 5, 2023, Edna High School cheerleader Lizbeth Medina was murdered by Rafael Govea Romero.
As reported by various American news channels, Romero is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who murdered Lizbeth in her apartment.
Highlights
- Rafael Govea Romero murdered Lizbeth Medina.
- Jacqueline opened up about her experience of facing her daughter’s killer, Rafael Govea Romero.
- On December 5, 2023, Jacqueline discovered her daughter’s body in the bathtub, lifeless.
Lizbeth’s mother, Jacqueline Medina, drove from Nevada to Texas to face her daughter’s alleged murderer in court for the first time on February 6.
Jacquline found her daughter dead in their bathtub on December 5, 2023. Her daughter had been stabbed to death.
As per KHOU, Romero is charged with capital murder in connection with Lizbeth’s death.
Jacqueline Medina said a few weeks before her daughter’s murder, their home was broken into.
Jacqueline claimed she knew something was wrong when her daughter didn’t show up to the town’s Lighted Christmas Parade, where she was supposed to perform with her cheer squad.
After discovering her daughter, Jacqueline called the police, and the first responders tried to save the teen, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to court documents, Romero exhibited “stalking-like behavior” before the crime. Romero was arrested a few days after Lizbeth’s death.
Edna police worked with the Texas Rangers to identify Romero as the suspect and found him at a home in Schulenburg, about an hour northwest of Edna.
Romero’s trial is slated to begin in August, and Jury selection is set for August 11.
Jacqueline Medina Speaks On Confronting Her Cheerleader Daughter Elizabeth Medina’s Murderer
On February 7, 2025, Jacqueline shared her experience of confronting her daughter’s murderer, Rafael Govea Romero.
“As of February 6th, 2025, I have confronted the Monster responsible for taking my daughter from me. A confrontation that was inevitable despite months of anxiety.
The 1.5-hour court proceeding was the most harrowing experience of my life. I trembled violently, my heart racing, as I cried holding a picture of Lizo tightly in my hand.”
The brave mother said she courageously positioned herself behind Rafael and established her presence.
Jacqueline said Rafael acknowledged her with eye contact before looking down and away after recognizing her determination. She further wrote,
I still have yet to comprehend how I endured this day without a complete breakdown, something tells me I was enveloped by the love and prayer from all the amazing people in our corner and Lizo’s beautiful soul pushing me.
Facebook
Jacqueline thanked everyone for their support, prayers, and love for her and her late daughter.
She said the strength provided by the loved ones has kept her standing and fighting for justice for her daughter.
On her Facebook handle, Jacqueline has shared several posts in remembrance of her daughter, whose life was cut short at such a young age.
In 2023, a few days after her daughter’s murder, Jacqueline spoke to KHOU.
She said,
“A mother should never go through what I went through.“
A year later, speaking to the same media outlet, Jacquline said she misses her daughter’s smile, laugh, and everything.
Jacqueline Medina Claimed The Murderer Knew What He Was Doing
In December 2024, Jacqueline Medina said the suspect’s request for an insanity evaluation only added to the pain.
Speaking to Fox News, Medina said,
“I broke down. I completely broke down. For me, there’s enough evidence that is obviously determining fact…he knew what he was doing.“
Rafael Govea Romero was reportedly on probation for a 2022 burglary in Schulenburg, about 60 miles from Edna, the Fayette County Record first reported.
In her statement, Medina said,
“He came in and violated her rights…yet they want to talk about his rights, and that infuriates me.”
At the time, Jacqueline also said that the Biden and the Harris administration had completely failed her and many parents.
She said she stands with others who have lost their children to illegal immigrant suspects, including the family of Laken Riley.
The suspect in Laken Riley’s murder, Jose Ibarra, of Venezuela, was convicted on ten counts and sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole on November 13.
Additional Information
- The Medina family has confirmed that Lizbeth had no relation with Rafael Govea Romero. The family did say that their house was burglarized on November 13, about a month before Lizbeth’s murder.
- Romero’s defense team had previously filed a motion to suppress certain evidence, arguing Edna Police Department officers searched and detained Romero without reasonable suspicion, and they searched his apartment without consent from the suspect.
