‘Justice for my girl:’ Mother of Jocelyn Nungaray relieved after 2 suspects arrested in connection to her murder

HOUSTON – After several days of searching, two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray.

Jocelyn’s body was found Monday in a creek off West Rankin Road in north Houston. Houston Police say she was strangled to death.

Thursday morning, two men who were initially labeled as persons of interest in the case were taken into custody by police. KPRC 2 Photographer Roger Franco got exclusive video of the men being taken into custody

Surveillance video show that the men were with Jocelyn hours before her death, according to HPD Lt. Stephen Hope.

Since then, Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 26, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 21, have officially been named suspects in Jocelyn’s murder. They are both facing capital murder charges.

Hours after the two were arrested, KPRC 2′s Corley Peel spoke with Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis Nungaray, over the phone. She says she is relieved to hear the suspects are now off the streets.

“It’s been like, an overwhelming, you know, relief to hear that they’ve been caught and, they’re off the streets and it feels great that, you know, everybody has been working so hard and so fast to to get justice for my girl,” she said.

One of the suspects, Johan Martinez, appears to have changed his appearance compared to when he was seen on surveillance photos.

HPD sent out a photo earlier this week showing Martinez in a white hat with a beard.

During his arrest, he appeared to no longer have facial hair.

Alexis Nungaray told KPRC 2 she has never seen the men before. She says she doesn’t know if her daughter knew the two men and that they did not live at the same complex where she and Jocelyn live.

“No idea who they are. I think (it) is very cowardly of one of them to, you know, try to alter his appearance to think that that would make a difference. But the city of Houston is way stronger, than these individuals. And we’re going to give them what they deserve,” she said.

Neighbors at the Canfield Lake Apartments didn’t seem to know much about the men.

“All I can say is they have not been here long, maybe, less than a month,” a resident who asked to be anonymous said.

She says its unnerving knowing they lived so close to her home.

“Its kind of scary where they’re saying these people are from, my daughter goes up and down those stairs everyday. So its scary to know that that could have happened to my child. For me to even think about that. I don’t’ even want her to come outside,” she said.

Corley knocked on the door where the men were believed to be staying, but no one answered.

Now that they’re in handcuffs, Nungaray says the journey to justice for Jocelyn is just beginning.

“She doesn’t have a voice no more. So I have to be advocate and, you know, be proud of me, of how strong I’ve been for her. I’ve always fought for her. And I will always fight for her,” she said.

A vigil is scheduled to be held for Jocelyn Friday evening from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the creek where she was found near 400 W. Rankin Road.