Who Is Rafael Romero? Man Arrested Over Death of Teenage Cheerleader

A man has been arrested in connection with the slaying of a 16-year-old cheerleader in Texas.

Lizbeth Medina's body was found in the bathtub of her home in Edna on Tuesday. The suspect in her killing, 23-year-old Rafael Govea Romero, was located in Schulenburg, about 70 miles north of Edna, on Saturday, Edna Police Chief Rick Boone said in a statement on Sunday.

Edna police officers and Texas Rangers arrested Romero, who police say is undocumented, for capital murder and transported him to Jackson County Jail. His bond is set at $2 million, KPRC 2 reported.

Boone said the citizens of Edna can "sleep in peace" following Romero's arrest.

Romero's arrest came a day after the police department released surveillance photos of a person and a vehicle of interest in Medina's death.

Authorities have not said if there was any relationship between Romero and Medina. Newsweek has contacted the police department for further comment via social media.

Medina's mother Jacqueline Medina told KTRK that she became worried when her daughter did not show up to perform with her high school cheerleading squad at a Christmas parade on December 5.

She rushed home and found her daughter's body in the bathtub of their apartment. First responders were called, but Medina was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Words can't explain what I felt at that moment, finding my daughter in the manner that she was," Jacqueline Medina told the station.

"All I can say is that I hope with all of my heart that there is justice for my daughter. Someone hurt my child. Someone took my child from me."

Medina was born in Nebraska and had been living in Edna for a year, according to a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for funeral expenses. She was a student at Edna High School.

"She was loved by many but most importantly she is loved and will be missed by the family," her aunt Ana Medina wrote on the page.

In a post on Facebook on Sunday, Boone said his officers were "dedicated to seeking justice" for Medina.

"As you know, we are a small department and this can call for a great demand to be put on my officers," Boone wrote.

"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."

Update 12/11/23, 5:30 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.