The Tragic Murder of 12-Year-Old Jocelyn Nungaray

The small town of Houston, Texas, was shaken to its core when the body of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was discovered in a creek near her home on June 17, 2024. The young girl had been brutally murdered, and the details of her final moments are nothing short of horrifying.

Jocelyn's mother, Alexis Nungaray, last saw her daughter alive when they went to bed around 10 PM on June 16. Sometime between 10 PM and 12 AM, Jocelyn snuck out of their apartment on Rankin Road. Surveillance footage showed her meeting up with two men, Johan Jose Rangel Martinez and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, and walking with them to a nearby convenience store.

The trio was then seen on CCTV walking together to a bridge, where the unthinkable happened. Jocelyn's body was found the next morning under the bridge, partially nude, with her hands and feet bound. She had been strangled to death.

The autopsy revealed that Jocelyn had fought back against her attackers, leaving scratch and bite marks on one of the suspects, Martinez. Prosecutors believe she was sexually assaulted, though the results of the rape kit are still pending.

Based on the CCTV evidence, they were able to trace the suspects' movements with Jocelyn and place them at the scene of the crime.

On Thursday, just two days after the body was found, authorities arrested Martinez and Pena. The CCTV footage was crucial in linking the suspects to the murder and allowing investigators to make a swift arrest.

Both Martinez and Pena are illegal immigrants from Venezuela. Pena had crossed the border in May and was released into the U.S. with an ankle monitor, which he cut off after Jocelyn's body was discovered. The two men had met while on their way to the United States and later connected in Houston.

In a chilling turn of events, Pena called his boss at a local construction company, stating that he and Martinez had done something bad after partying on Sunday night, leading to someone's death. He requested money to leave town.

Pena claimed that Martinez strangled Jocelyn and suggested placing her in the water to remove any DNA evidence. Martinez admitted to authorities that he tied Jocelyn's legs and instructed Pena to throw her in the bayou.

The suspects' actions were caught on surveillance cameras, which showed them leaving the scene at 3:04 AM. Martinez had shaved his beard in an attempt to alter his appearance and avoid detection.

During the court proceedings, Jocelyn's family members were visibly shaken, with one member being escorted out after confronting Martinez in the courtroom. Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyn's mother, expressed her profound grief, emphasizing the promising future that was unjustly taken from her daughter.

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In response to the murder, a White House spokesperson expressed condolences to Jocelyn's family, stating that anyone found guilty of such a heinous crime should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Jocelyn's grandfather, Kelbin Alvarenga, is calling for leaders to change the immigration laws, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice in the face of such senseless violence.

The suspects, Martinez and Pena, have been charged with capital murder and are being held on $10 million bond each, with the judge citing them as flight risks. Prosecutors have indicated that they may seek the death penalty if further evidence, such as kidnapping or sexual assault, is confirmed.

The tragic loss of young Jocelyn Nungaray has left her family and the entire community devastated. Her mother's words, "I just want people to remember. I know this is a very high-profile case, but she was still my firstborn. I was a teen mom. Fought for her at 15, so now 27, I'm still fighting for her. And just remember that she was a very special little girl that deserves her justice," echo the sentiments of all those who have been touched by this heartbreaking case.

As the investigation continues and the legal proceedings unfold, the nation waits with bated breath for justice to be served. Jocelyn's memory will forever be a testament to the fragility of life and the importance of protecting our children from harm. May her story inspire change and bring about a safer world for all.