A Texas grand jury has indicted the man suspected of killing a 16-year-old cheerleader on capital murder charges.
The indictment says Rafael Govea Romero, 23, killed Lizbeth Medina in the course of a burglary, according to Fox News. It says Romero hit the teen “with a hard object” and repeatedly stabbed her “with a sharp object or edged weapon.”
Fox said the indictment was handed down this week.
Jacqueline Medina found her daughter’s body in the bathtub of their home on December 5, 2023, after the teen missed the Christmas parade where her cheerleading team was performing. Lizbeth was still in her pajamas, as CrimeOnline reported.
The Medinas reported a burglary in their home on November 13. Jacqueline Medina said smaller items had been disappearing, but when larger items vanished, they reported it to the police.
“I believe the burglary from 11/13/2023 could have a connection with the murder suspect,” an Edna officer later wrote in an affidavit. “I believed the suspect of this murder was at large and a present danger to the community.”
Lizbeth’s phone was apparently stolen on the day of her murder, and police used it to track Romero to Schulenberg, about an hour’s drive from Edna.
Romero is being held on a $2 million bond.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Lizbeth Medina/Facebook]
