Houston – After days of manhunt, two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of 12-year-old Joselyn Nungare.
Jocelyn's body was found Monday in a creek off West Rankin Road in north Houston. Houston police say she had been strangled.
On Thursday morning, police took two people into custody who were initially considered suspects in the case. KPRC 2 photographer Roger Franco obtained exclusive video of those detained.
According to HPD Lt. Stephen Hope, surveillance video shows the men were with Joslyn in the hours before her death.
Since then, 26-year-old Johan Jose Rangel Martinez and 21-year-old Franklin Jose Pena Ramos have been officially named suspects in Joselyn's murder. They are both facing murder charges.
Hours after the two were arrested, KPRC 2's Coralie Peel spoke with Joseline's mother, Alexis Nungare, by phone. She said she was relieved to hear the suspects were off the streets.
“It's such a relief to hear that they have been caught and are off the streets now. It feels great to see everyone working so hard and so quickly to get justice for my girl,” he added.
One of the suspects, Johan Martinez, has changed his appearance from when he appeared in surveillance photos.
HPD sent out a photo earlier this week of Martinez wearing a white hat with a beard.
At the time of his arrest, he appeared to have no facial hair.
Alexis Nungare told KPRC 2 she has never seen the men before. She said she doesn't know if her daughter knew the two men and that they don't live in the same complex as she and Joseline.
“I don't know who they are. I think it's very cowardly for any one of them to try to change their appearance and think that it will make a difference. But the city of Houston is stronger than these people. And we're going to give them what they deserve,” he said.
Neighbors at Canfield Lake Apartments didn't know much about them.
“All I can say is that they have not been here for long, probably less than a month,” said a resident who asked not to be named.
She says it makes her nervous knowing they live so close to her home.
She said, “It's really scary that they're saying where these people are from, my daughter goes up and down the stairs every day. So it's scary to know that this could happen to my daughter. It's scary for me to even think about it. I don't even want her to come out.”
Corley knocked on the door where the men were likely to live, but no one answered.
Now that they're in handcuffs, Nungare says the journey to justice for Joselyn has just begun.
“Now she doesn't have a voice. So I have to advocate for her and, you know, I'm proud of how strong I've been for her. I've always fought for her. And I will always fight for her,” she said.
A memorial service for Joslyn will be held Friday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the creek where she was found near 400 W. Rankin Road.
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