Mother finds 16-year-old Texas cheerleader dead in their apartment

Lizbeth Medina was a ‘loving, kind and big-hearted’ teen; police suspect murder

Yellow police tape blocking off a crime scene (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Police are investigating what they say is the murder of a sixteen-year-old girl in Texas who was found dead in her home earlier this week.

Jaqueline Medina of Edna, Texas, found her daughter, Lizbeth Medina, dead in their apartment on 5 December. The Edna Police Department suspects Ms Medina’s death was a capital murder, they wrote in a 6 December press release. The department is now working with state police to investigate Ms Medina’s death.

Ms Medina’s aunt, Ana Medina, launched a GoFundMe for the family.

“She was a student and cheerleader at Edna High School, she was loved by many but most importantly she is loved and will be missed by the family she leaves behind,” she wrote on GoFundMe.

Ms Medina’s mother told local outlet Crossroads Today that she hopes there is justice for her daughter.

“Words can’t explain what I felt at that moment, finding my daughter in the matter that she was,” she said. “All I can say is that I hope with all my heart that there is justice with my daughter.”

The Edna Police Department said on 8 December they are “working diligently” to investigate the case.

“We also understand the community is concerned about the individual still being on the loose,” the police department wrote. “Outside agencies are in the area and working with Edna PD to provide extra patrol.”

Ms Medina’s mother told Crossroads Today she hopes the community remembers her daughter’s exceptional qualities.

“I just want her to be remembered as the special little girl that she was,” she said. “Loving, kind, and bighearted.”