Houston police released the identity of a 12-year-old girl whose body was found in a Houston creek early Monday.
Police said Jocelyn Nungaray snuck out of her apartment between 10 p.m. and midnight on Sunday. Her body was found in a north Houston creek around 6:15 a.m. Monday.
The coroner’s report said Jocelyn died from strangulation.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire said Jocelyn was also raped.
“We should not have to worry about 12-year-olds being raped and murdered in the City of Houston. Horrible,” Whitmire said at a city council meeting Tuesday.
On Tuesday night, Houston police released surveillance photos of 2 persons of interest at the 7-Eleven convenience store where the girl was last seen. Police asked the public to help identify the 2 males.
UPDATE: Our homicide detectives want to speak with these two male persons of interest regarding the death of a 12-year-old female at 400 West Rankin Rd.
If you recognize them, please call HPD Homicide at 713-308-3600 or @CrimeStopHOU
More info at pic.twitter.com/N9RZew2kqu
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) June 19, 2024
In surveillance video from the 7-Eleven, Jocelyn is seen talking to a man wearing a pink t-shirt, black shorts and a red, white and blue baseball cap.
In another screenshot they are walking toward the parking lot.
Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis, told KHOU-11 that her “heart is broken.” She said she had no idea who Jocelyn was talking to.
Jocelyn’s grandmother said the girl and her family had recently moved to the area near Rankin Road and Kuykendahl Road.