A Texas mother is grappling with the loss of her only child, a 16-year-old cheerleader, who was found dead in her apartment in Edna, Texas, on Tuesday. The teenager, Lizbeth Medina, was set to participate in a Christmas parade with her cheerleading squad from Edna High School. As of Thursday afternoon, the cause of her death had not been disclosed by the police.
On Wednesday, the Edna Police Department reported that they had responded to a call on Tuesday evening at the Cottonwood Apartments, where they discovered an unresponsive minor. The officers on the scene believed the minor to be deceased, and Emergency Medical Services were called in an attempt to provide medical aid.
The police did not identify the victim in their statement, but the family confirmed that it was Lizbeth Medina. Jacqueline Medina, Lizbeth’s mother, told local CBS affiliate KHOU that she was the one who discovered her daughter’s lifeless body. The mother and daughter had moved to Edna just a year ago.
Jacqueline Medina expressed her grief, stating that it should have been a joyous day as Lizbeth was supposed to be part of the Christmas parade with her cheerleading squad. She described Lizbeth as her world and her everything. Jacqueline Medina is seeking answers about who could have committed such a heinous act and why.
According to reports, Jacqueline Medina found her daughter after she became concerned when Lizbeth did not appear with her cheerleading squad at the Christmas parade. The Texas Rangers have been called in to assist local authorities in investigating the suspected capital murder.
In Texas, capital murder charges can be brought under several circumstances, often when the murder is committed during the course of another serious crime such as kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, obstruction or retaliation, or a terroristic threat. The police have not yet clarified why they believe Medina’s death qualifies as a capital offense, but they are urging anyone with information about the potential perpetrators to contact the Edna Police Department.
The Medina family is also seeking help in their quest for justice for Lizbeth and is accepting donations via Cash App to $justiceforlizbeth. A post on behalf of the family described Lizbeth as a beautiful and talented girl with dreams of pursuing a career in nursing at Arlington University after her graduation in 2025. The family is calling for support in their time of need and in their pursuit of justice for Lizbeth.