A Texas courtroom has delivered the final word in a case that shattered a family and rattled a community. On Thursday, a judge sentenced 25-year-old Rafael Govea Romero to two life terms plus 20 years for the murder and robbery of 16-year-old cheerleader Lizbeth “Lizzo” Medina, who was found dead in her apartment bathtub just hours before she was supposed to perform in her town’s Christmas parade.
An Emotional Moment
The sentence closes a long and painful chapter for Medina’s family, who waited nearly two years to hear Romero admit his guilt. “Hearing him say ‘guilty’ in court was a very emotional moment,” said Jacqueline Medina, Lizbeth’s mother. “We’ve been waiting for those words for almost two years, and finally hearing them — it was a lot to take in.”
Jacqueline Discovered Her Daughter’s Body
Jacqueline found her daughter’s body in December 2023, inside their Edna apartment. What she discovered instead was every parent’s nightmare. Romero, who prosecutors say had overstayed a work visa, was arrested a few days later in Schulenburg, roughly an hour from Edna. Police Chief Rick Boone said. “Although Romero is apprehended, we recognize Lizbeth’s family and friends are grieving and will still need support from the community.”
Lizbeth Had Her Whole Life Ahead Of Her
In a statement released after court, Jacqueline Medina refused to grant him the power of her words. “I don’t think he deserves any of my words,” she wrote. “But if I had one thing to say to him, I would tell him: you didn’t win.” Instead, she painted a picture of Lizbeth — “goofy and funny,” “kind-hearted,” “compassionate toward others.” At just 16, Lizbeth was already working on certifications, side jobs, and the steps toward a future she had mapped out for herself. She wanted to be a princess, her mother recalled. She wanted to feed people. She loved everybody.
A Fight For Justice
“She will always be my little girl — even though she was 16 when she was taken from me, she will always be my little girl,” Jacqueline said. “That’s Lizzo — my Lizzo. I will continue fighting for her because that’s what she deserves. I will continue seeking justice and helping others get justice too.” Family members described Lizbeth as a bright light whose loss has left them “torn apart.” A GoFundMe launched after her death called her “loved by many but most importantly loved and missed by her family.” Now Romero will spend the rest of his life in prison.
