Jocelyn Nungarei, a 12-year-old girl believed to have been murdered by illegal immigrants in Texas, was sexually assaulted before being strangled, according to her family and recent forensic tests.
Nungaray’s family confirmed to FOX 26 Houston on Tuesday that she was sexually assaulted before she was killed.
Two Venezuelan nationals, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 21, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, were charged with first-degree murder in her death. Both men entered the U.S. illegally earlier this year.
Both suspects are accused of luring her under a bridge, strangling her and dumping her in a creek to die.
Jocelyn Nungarei Murder: Texas County Called ‘Criminal Haven’, Democrats Try to Shift Blame
12-year-old Jocelyn Nungarei was found strangled to death in a Houston creek. (Courtesy of Fox Houston and the Nungaray family)
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office received the lab results to investigate Nungaray’s death.
Tests show she was sexually assaulted, but semen was found on her and a DNA match has not yet been confirmed, a source close to the investigation told Fox News.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to Fox News that it “will not comment on the evidence in this case until the appropriate time has passed.” The Houston Forensic Center did not provide details.
The family is now waiting for the court to admit new evidence and is seeking revoked bail as they seek justice for Nungaray’s death.
Her grandfather, Kelvin Alvarenga, told FOX 26 that it will be nearly impossible for the family to “come away from this loss.”
If convicted of the rapes, the suspects could face the death penalty, but the Nunggarai family opposes the death penalty, believing it would be better for the suspects to spend their lives remembering the crimes they committed.
“I want them to remember Jocy for the rest of their lives,” Alvarenga’s wife, Melfri Vargas, told FOX 26. “I want them to remember what they did when they go to sleep and show other people, don’t touch our kids, don’t touch America, don’t touch Texas.”
Franklin Jose Peña Ramos (left) and Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel (right) are accused of murdering 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungarei in Houston, Texas. (Harris County Jail)
The suspects in the case are two illegal immigrants, and the young girl’s death has sparked political debate over U.S. immigration policy.
“I don’t want them to just use my granddaughter as a political platform. I want them to know that her name is Jocelyn Nungaray,” Alvarenga told FOX 26. “We just want to make a difference for Jocy. We don’t want Jocy’s memory or her name to be easily forgotten.”
Alvarenga wants those responsible for Nungara’s death sentenced to life in prison without parole, stressing that it is important that they be reminded every day of what they did to the girl.
“I want them to remember this to the general public,” he said. “Life without parole, so that when they go to bed at night, they will remember the horrors they did to our family.”
Her family said they are grateful for the support they have received from city and state leaders and former President Trump.
Suspected illegal immigrant accused of murdering Jocelyn Nungarei wears ice ankle monitor
Recent forensic examinations have revealed that 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungarei was sexually assaulted before being strangled. (Getty Images)
“God bless him, because when that day comes, I don’t want my daughter’s accident to be another statistic for the city of Houston or the state of Texas. Since former President Trump has reached out, I say bless him and God bless him,” Alvarenga said.
Nungaray’s mother, Alexis, told FOX 26 the family is struggling with the death of her daughter. Nungaray had a 5-year-old brother, who the family says would look for his sister every day and want to be with her.
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“She’s a single mom, and one of the hardest things for her and for us is explaining to our 5-year-old that his Cici is no longer home,” Vargas said. “He asks when he’s going to see Cici. We try to explain to the little one the best we can. It’s not easy. He’s always looking for her, wanting to go see her.”
Both suspects are due back in court in September.
Fox News’ Nate Foy contributed to this report.
