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Houston girl murdered: 2 men seen in surveillance photos held for questioning in death of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray: HPD

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Two men have been arrested for questioning in connection with the murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, whose body was discovered in a north Houston creek earlier this week, sources told ABC13.

This comes less than 48 hours after Houston police released photos of two men of interest in the case.

ABC13 is working to learn more about the case, but HPD said there is no further information at this time.

ABC13 obtained surveillance footage that appears to show 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray's final moments of life before her body was found in a north Houston creek on June 17, 2024.

ABC13 obtained surveillance footage that appears to show 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray’s final moments of life before her body was found in a north Houston creek on June 17, 2024.

Jocelyn’s body was found Monday on West Rankin Road near the North Freeway, just steps from her home, after investigators believed she had sneaked out of her home Sunday around 10 p.m. Her mother last saw her as she was going to bed, police said.

ABC13 obtained surveillance camera footage that appears to show Jocelyn’s final moments of life.

On Wednesday, ABC13 spoke with Jocelyn’s grandmother, who told us, “We really want justice for her. We’re asking for everyone’s help.”

She describes her as an incredibly kind and loving girl. The family recently returned from their annual vacation to Garner State Park.

Later that day, ABC13 spoke to the girl’s mother.

“She’s supposed to be here. She’s supposed to be here,” Alexis Nungaray said. “She had aspirations for life. She loved everyone, she was so kind. Her best friend. Very awkward.”

Alexis Nungaray does not believe that her daughter knew the men filmed by the surveillance camera.

“She’s not the type to be aggressive and say, ‘Stop talking to me,'” she said. “She’s very shy and quiet and keeps to herself. I felt like maybe she didn’t want to be rude, and that’s why she was pacing back and forth and safely away from the situation. Unfortunately, she found herself with the wrong people at the wrong time.”

Jocelyn was reportedly talking on the phone with her 13-year-old boyfriend around midnight when he heard her talking with two adults.

Alexis Nungaray added that she tracked her daughter’s phone to a nearby skate park when she realized she was missing.

HPD released photos of the persons of interest Tuesday evening.

RELATED: HPD believes 12-year-old girl may have snuck out of home before found dead in creek

“There will be a report coming out soon showing very bad and horrible circumstances,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said Tuesday.

Investigators are looking for surveillance video that could help them find the killer.

Billie Jackson was driving home after dropping her husband off from work Monday morning when she said she made a disturbing discovery.

“I drove past and when I looked down at the creek, I thought it was a mannequin. I turned around, stopped on the bridge, turned on my flashers, “I looked down and realized it was someone. I parked here and immediately called 911,” she said.

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences determined that Jocelyn died of strangulation.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the girl’s death to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

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