What we know about the 2 Venezuelan men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray
Two undocumented men from Venezuela are accused of killing the girl and both are facing charges of capital murder in her death, according to the Houston Police Department. Both are being held on a $10 million bond this week, court records show.
Jocelyn’s death shocked her family, leaving them heartbroken and wondering what her life would have been like as they lay her to rest Thursday. It is also the latest case to bring immigration to the forefront as a critical issue this election year, as the two men were in the country illegally, according to the US Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Here’s what we know so far about the cases around Jocelyn’s death:
Who was Jocelyn?
Born on December 27, 2011, Jocelyn’s family called her a “loyal, compassionate and caring friend” who supported those around her, her obituary says. Her kindness and “zest for life” are among the things her family wants people to remember her for.
She loved animals and wanted them all to have homes, not understanding why some were strays. Green was her favorite color.
Jocelyn enjoyed fantasy, whether it was the magic of Harry Potter, vampire-film classic “Twilight” or the upside down of TV’s “Stranger Things,” her obituary reads. She even had a crush on “Stranger Things” star Finn Wolfhard.
She is survived by her mother, Alexis, brother, and “sister” Gabby, as well as her grandparents and numerous family members.
What happened to Jocelyn?
Surveillance footage of the area obtained by detectives showed the suspects at a restaurant together the evening of June 16, Lt. Stephen Hope of the Houston Police Department said at a news conference after their arrests.
The men left on foot and were later seen meeting and talking with Jocelyn, Hope said, before all three walked to a convenience store.
A few minutes later, Hope said, they went to a bridge. Prosecutors allege the men killed Jocelyn and threw her body in the bayou.
Jocelyn’s body was found along West Rankin Road in a shallow creek in north Houston early in the morning of June 17, authorities have said.
The 12-year-old was strangled to death, according to the medical examiner, the Associated Press reported.
What we know about the accused men
Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, were arrested June 20, three days after Jocelyn’s strangled body was found in the creek, according to the Houston Police Department.
Both men are from Venezuela and entered the US illegally, a spokesperson for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement told CNN. Where and when they entered the country is unclear, the spokesperson said, but each had been apprehended near El Paso by US Border Patrol – Martinez-Rangel on March 14 and Peña Ramos on May 28 – and released with a notice to appear in court in the future.
An attorney for Peña Ramos declined to comment. An attorney for Martinez-Rangel did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Where are the suspects now?
Both men are under immigration holds by federal authorities, according to the AP, which means they could not leave custody even if they could post bond.
Family and community reaction
After her daughter’s body was found, Alexis Nungaray cried as she realized the heartbreaking news she would have to share with her family.
“I’m, like, angry that they took advantage of her. She was so young. She was 12. You took my baby away, you took her away,” the mother told CNN affiliate KHOU on June 19. “Now, I get to let her little brother know his older sister is never coming home.”
At a news conference on June 24, Nungaray shared her frustration that her daughter’s life was taken from her.
“She had such a bright future ahead of her and I knew she was going to go very far. And, you know, these monsters took that opportunity from her,” she said.
Laying her to rest
The family will have a celebration of life for Jocelyn on Thursday afternoon in Houston. A committal service will follow at the Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home and Cemetery
A reception will be hosted at Gallery Furniture on North Freeway in Houston after the celebration of life to support the family, according to a Facebook post from the store owner. Jim McIngvale, known as “Mattress Mack,” is well known for his chartable work, like turning his stores into shelters to help people affected by Hurricane Harvey and other severe weather events.
CNN’s Rosa Flores, Dakin Andone, Sara Weisfeldt and Colin Jeffery contributed to this report.
- The two men from Venezuela, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, who are facing charges of capital murder in the death of Jocelyn, are under immigration holds by federal authorities, which means they cannot leave custody even if they can post bond.
- Jocelyn's family, including her mother Alexis, brother, and "sister" Gabby, will have a celebration of life for her on Thursday afternoon in Houston, with a reception to follow at Gallery Furniture, which is known for its charitable work by its owner Jim McIngvale, also known as "Mattress Mack".
