Recent forensic tests have revealed that Jocelyn Nangaray, a 12-year-old girl killed in Texas, was sexually assaulted before being strangled to death.
The child’s family was also identified. Fox 26 She was sexually assaulted.
Two Venezuelan nationals, Johan Jose Martinez Rangel, 21, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, have been charged with murder in connection with Jocelyn’s death after they entered the United States illegally earlier this year.
The two suspects are accused of luring Jocelyn under a bridge, sexually assaulting her, then strangling her and leaving her in a creek.
Jocelyn Nangaray murder: Texas county called ‘sanctuary for criminals’ as Democratic district attorney tries to shift the blame
Jocelyn Nangaray, 12, was found strangled to death in a creek in Houston. (Courtesy of Fox Houston and the Nungarei Family)
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office received the test results in connection with the investigation into Jocelyn’s death.
Tests have shown she was sexually assaulted, with semen found on her body, but a DNA match has not yet been made, a source close to the investigation told Fox News.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to Fox News that it would “not comment on the evidence in this case until the appropriate time.” The Houston Forensic Science Center declined to disclose details.
The family is now waiting for the court to admit the new evidence and are asking for bail to be revoked, seeking justice for Jocelyn’s death.
Jocelyn’s grandfather, Kelvin Alvarenga, told Fox 26 it will be nearly impossible for the family to “get rid of this sense of loss.”
If the suspect is found guilty of sexually assaulting Jocelyn, he deserves the death penalty, but Jocelyn’s family is opposed to the death penalty and would rather the suspect live with the consequences for the rest of his life.
“I want our kids to remember Josie for the rest of their lives,” Alvarenga’s wife, Melfuri Vargas, told Fox 26. “I want them to go to bed every night remembering what they did and showing other people that they shouldn’t mess with our kids, that they shouldn’t mess with America, that they shouldn’t mess with Texas.”
Franklin Jose Peña Ramos (left) and Johan Jose Martinez Rangel are charged with murdering Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston, Texas. (Harris County Jail)
The suspects in the case were two illegal immigrants, and Jocelyn’s death has sparked a political debate over immigration policy in the United States.
“I want people to know that her name is Jocelyn Nungarei and not use my granddaughter as a political platform,” Alvarenga told Fox 26. “We just want to make a difference for Josie. We don’t want her memory and her name to be forgotten so easily.”
Alvarenga wants those responsible for Jocelyn’s death to be given life in prison, and stresses the importance of a daily reminder of what they did to the little girl.
“I would rather they remember this as a general prisoner,” he said, “with a life sentence, so that they go to bed every night remembering the horrific things they did to our family.”
As Jocelyn’s death received national coverage, her family said they were grateful for the support they received from city and state leaders, as well as former President Trump.
The suspected illegal immigrant accused of killing Jocelyn Nangaray was wearing an ice ankle monitor.
Recent forensic examinations have revealed that 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungarei was sexually assaulted before being strangled to death. (Getty Images)
“God bless him. I don’t want my daughter to become another statistic at this point in time for the city of Houston or the state of Texas. Former President Trump has reached out, so God bless him and God bless him,” Alvarenga said.
Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis Nungarei, is struggling with the aftermath of her daughter’s death, Alexis’ father told Fox 26. Jocelyn’s 5-year-old brother also calls for his sister every day, wanting to be with her.
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“She’s a single mother and explaining to her 5-year-old that Sissi is no longer at home has been one of the hardest things for her and for us,” Vargas said. “He asks when he’ll see Sissi. We try to explain it as best we can to him. It’s not easy. He always wants to go and see Sissi.”
The two suspects are due to appear in court again in September.
Fox News’ Nate Foy contributed to this report.
