Jacqueline Medina, the mother of Lizbeth Medina, a 16-year-old Texas girl who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant in December, is calling for change after the murder of Georgia college student Laken Riley. .
Rafael Gobert Romero, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, allegedly stabbed Lisbeth to death in the bathtub of the apartment he shared with his mother on December 5, 2023. About three months later, on February 22, undocumented immigrant José Antonio Ibarra allegedly killed Riley by hitting him in the head while he was jogging on the University of Georgia campus.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Laken Riley. My heart goes out to her family during this difficult time,” Jacqueline Medina told Fox News Digital in a statement. “As someone who also lost her daughter to violence at the hands of illegal immigrants, I understand the pain and devastation that comes with such a foolish act. It’s heartbreaking to see.”
Jacqueline said she was “touched by the fact” that Riley and Lisbeth both wanted to be nurses. She shared with Fox News Digital an award letter stating that Lisbeth was nominated for the Future Healthcare Leaders Council Excellence Award, and she said Lisbeth has dreams of studying at the University of Texas at Arlington.
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Laken Riley and Lizbeth Medina were allegedly killed by illegal immigrants between December 5, 2023 and February 22, 2023 in Texas and Georgia, respectively. (Facebook)
“It is a cruel and unfair reality that their dreams were cut short by senseless violence,” she said. “I believe we need stronger laws to protect our children and communities from individuals with violent criminal histories, regardless of their immigration status.”
“I believe we need to have stricter laws.”
She added that “this is not about politics” but “is about ensuring the safety and well-being of our loved ones.”
Jacqueline Medina told Fox News Digital that Lisbeth had been nominated for the Future Healthcare Leadership Council Excellence Award and said Lisbeth has dreams of attending the University of Texas at Arlington. . (Jacqueline Medina)
“While we acknowledge that not all illegal immigrants are the same, we must take action to prevent tragedies like this from happening again,” she said. “Too many beautiful girls have lost their lives to violence since the death of my daughter Liz in 2023. As a society, we must come together to create a safer world for everyone. Let’s take care of each other and strive to make our community a safe place.” Everyone feels safe and protected. ”
‘I don’t understand’ 16-year-old Texas cheerleader found dead in apartment bathtub, apparently murdered
Jacqueline Medina returned home that afternoon to find her daughter, Lizbeth “Liz” Medina, dead in the bathtub of her Cottonwood Apartments home. She did not see or contact her 16-year-old daughter that afternoon. (Facebook)
Edna police arrested Romero, 23, in Schulenberg, Texas, thanks to cell phone data and other evidence linking him to Lisbeth’s murder.
he charged with murder of a villain Lizbeth, a cheerleader at Edna High School, was found in a bathtub with “blood on her side and what appeared to be a stab wound to the upper abdomen” and was taken to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. ing. According to a police affidavit previously obtained by Fox News Digital.
Jacqueline had left Edna’s apartment early on December 5th for work. Her daughter usually heads to school afterwards, but she couldn’t go to school that day or to the Christmas parade where the cheer team was supposed to practice.
Edna police announced the arrest of Rafael Gobert Romero, an “undocumented male” who authorities believe is “the person responsible for the death of Lisbeth Medina” in Schulenburg. (Edna Police Department)
Jacqueline went to the parade in hopes of seeing her daughter, but when she couldn’t find Lisbeth anywhere, she began reaching out to friends and family for help in tracking down her 16-year-old daughter. Later that night, Jacqueline found her daughter dead in the bathtub.
Laken Riley funeral in Georgia honors nursing student allegedly killed by illegal immigrant
The grieving mother, who lived in Nebraska before moving to Texas for work, said neither she nor her daughter knew Romero, but about a month before the teenager was killed on 11. He said his home was burglarized on March 13th. Edna police believe Romero was involved in the robbery and may have stalked Lisbeth before attacking and killing her.
The mother of a 16-year-old Texas girl found dead in her Edna apartment is “praying for justice” for her only child. (Jacqueline Medina)
“We believe the November 13, 2023 robbery may be connected to the murder suspect,” Edna police officers said in an affidavit. “I believed that the suspect in this murder was at large and posed a current danger to the community. I had heard that the suspected murder suspect had been sending emails to other high school students. We were particularly concerned and thought the suspect was targeting students.”
Illegal immigrant in Texas charged with felony assault and stabbing of cheerleader
“Additionally, the stalking-like behavior exhibited by the suspect in connection with the November 13, 2023 robbery and December 4, 2023 driving at an apartment complex puts the public at risk. I believe I have been exposed.”
Romero’s arraignment is scheduled for Thursday. FOX News Digital has reached out to the defense attorney for comment.
Critics and social media personalities have pointed out similarities between Lisbeth and Riley’s murders.
Laken Riley poses for a photo to post on Facebook. Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia, was found dead near a lake on campus on Thursday, February 22, 2024. (Laken Riley/Facebook)
Riley was jogging on a dirt path on the University of Georgia campus near Herrick Lake when she was allegedly attacked and killed by 26-year-old Ybarra.
Riley’s roommate reported her missing on the morning of February 22 when she failed to return from her escape, and police discovered her dead around noon that same day. She died from blunt force trauma to her head.
Jose Ibarra was arrested on February 23rd in connection with the February 22nd murder of Laken Riley in Athens, Georgia. (Clark County Sheriff’s Office)
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Ibarra, who lived within a five-minute walk of the suspected crime scene, has been charged with the crime. malicious murder, felony murder, felonious assault, felonious assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, interfering with a 911 call, and concealing the death of another.
Ybarra entered the United States through the U.S.-Mexico border in 2022 and was released on parole at the border. He initially lived in New York City, but later moved to a college town in Georgia.
