EDNA, Texas — Police are searching for a person of interest in connection with the death of a 16-year-old cheerleader.
Surveillance photos were released Saturday of a man wearing a black “Volcom” hooded sweatshirt. Police said he may have a tattoo behind his right ear and was seen driving a silver Ford Taurus with a year model ranging from 2010 to 2018.
Lizbeth Medina, a student at Edna High School, was found dead by her mother, Jacqueline Medina, on Tuesday in a bathtub inside their unit at the Cottonwood Apartments.
Few details about the investigation into Lizbeth's death have been revealed, but Edna police and the Texas Rangers are working on this investigation as a possible capital murder case.
It's unclear how the person of interest is connected with Lizbeth's death, but officials ask that you call Edna police at 361-782-6522 or contact Crime Stoppers at 361-552-2274 if you recognize him.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in this case.
What we know right now
- Lizbeth Medina, 16, a cheerleader at Edna High School, was found dead by her mother on Tuesday
- Lizbeth was found dead in a bathtub in her and her mother's unit at the Cottonwood Apartments
- Edna police are working with the Texas Rangers on the investigation as a possible capital murder case
- A cause of death has not been released
- No other information about the crime scene has been released
- Anyone with information should call EPD at 361-782-6522 or Crime Stoppers at 361-552-CASH(2274).
“We understand the community wants information in regards to the case, however we have to keep the integrity of the investigation our number one priority,” EPD Chief Rick Boone said in a post on social media. “We also understand the community is concerned about the individual still being on the loose.”
EPD added that they are working with other local law enforcement agencies to increase patrols in the area.
Mother of cheerleader killed wants justice
Jacqueline Medina was left heartbroken and is demanding justice for her daughter. The family set up a GoFundMe account to help with expenses.
She and Lizbeth had only lived in Edna for about a year. Jacquelin said she's now living a nightmare.
"The most horrible way a mother could find her child. She was murdered in cold blood," she said.
Lizbeth was her only child and had so much to look forward to in life.
"It should have been a great day because she was involved in the Christmas parade. She was going to be with the cheer squad," Jacquelin said.
Lizbeth never made it to the parade.
"I lost it. She was my world, my everything. ... Everything I do was for her," Jacquelin said.
Jacquelin said she feels broken and lost without her best friend.
"Someone dared to go in and just rip my daughter away from me, it just kills me," she said. "I just want answers to why they would do this to an amazing little girl who would never hurt anyone, wouldn't dare to hurt anyone."
Jacquelin said she has felt the love and support from the small town. The Edna community was rattled by Lizbeth's death.
"She was a very good girl, and recently, I've received messages from hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people. And it amazes me because I didn't know how much she was loved by everybody else," Jacquelin said.