Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of a 12-year-old girl, Jocelyn Nungaray, whose body was found in a Houston creek earlier this week. The suspects, Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, face charges of capital murder, according to Houston police.
The arrests follow the discovery of Jocelyn’s body in shallow water early Monday morning. A medical examiner has determined that her cause of death was strangulation.
Surveillance footage played a crucial role in the investigation. The footage showed Jocelyn meeting up with the two men before they walked together to a convenience store. The trio then proceeded to a bridge where the murder is believed to have taken place.
Jocelyn had reportedly sneaked out of her nearby home the night before her body was discovered. It remains unclear if Jocelyn knew the men, who police have confirmed were roommates. The results of a sexual assault examination on Jocelyn are still pending.
As of Thursday afternoon, it was unclear if Martinez and Ramos had obtained attorneys to represent them. Their names were not listed in jail or court records at the time.
Police released surveillance photos of the men on Tuesday, initially calling them persons of interest. This led to their eventual identification and arrest.
Houston Police Department officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Jocelyn’s tragic death.
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