EDNA, Texas – Three months after 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina was murdered, her mother, Jacqueline Media, spoke exclusively with KPRC2 Reporter Corley Peel. They met at Shelby Park in Edna, a place where the beloved cheerleader spent most of her free time, running and clearing her head.
“I want the world to know Lizbeth’s story. Lizbeth was my world and I’m going to fight,” said Medina.
Whether Lizbeth was dressed up in a beautiful gown, a cheer uniform or goofing around. Her mother said the teen was one of a kind.
“She was really goofy, loving and caring. She was just very special, a little girl,” said Medina.
“She was basically my best friend.”
Medina said she and her daughter lived in Edna for a year and a half. The dynamic duo did everything together.
“Every weekend was a movie night. We would go out to the movies, go shopping,” said Medina.
On December 5th, Medina’s entire world changed. She said her daughter never showed up to the town’s Christmas parade she was supposed to be cheering in. Rushing home to their apartment, records show Medina found her daughter stabbed to death in the bathtub.
After days of searching, investigators arrested Rafael Romero in Schulenburg. It’s where detectives said he confessed to the brutal crime. Investigators said his car was captured on surveillance before and around the time of the murder, near Medina’s apartment complex. According to Romero’s affidavit, he was believed to be stalking the beloved teen cheerleader. Investigators also believe he’s responsible for a burglary at their home a few weeks before the murder.
Corley asked Medina if she had seen Romero before or knew who he was.
“No, I have never seen him. I didn’t know who he was. Complete stranger to me,” said Medina.
Medina moved out of the state after her daughter’s death. On Thursday, she returned to Edna, hoping to catch a glimpse of her daughter’s accused killer during his arraignment.
“I wanted to see his face for the first time. I wanted him to see me and realize that mommy’s here. Liz’s mommy is here, and she’s going to fight until I get justice,” said Medina.
Medina did not get the chance to see Romero. He waived his appearance.
“I will be back. I won’t be backing off,” said Medina.
Medina shared that some of her favorite memories of her daughter are Christmas and her birthday, when she showed her kindness towards others.
“Instead of asking for an expensive gift or asking for an expensive trip, she always wanted to choose advocacy or a hospital to go donate to the children.”
Medina said she knows her daughter is still with her, as she fights to defend her legacy.
“I would tell her I was going to do everything to bring her justice. And I will tell her I wish I could hug her once more.”
Romero did not officially enter a plea on Thursday. As of right now, his trial is set for October.
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