Funeral planned for 12-year-old Houston girl whose body found in creek

HOUSTON (AP) — A 12-year-old Houston girl, killed after disappearing while walking to a convenience store earlier this month, was to be remembered at a funeral service and celebration of his life Thursday.

Jocelyn Nungaray’s family remembers her as a caring, compassionate person who loved animals and wanted to make people laugh.

“We miss his awkwardness. She was a child who loved animals. She always said, “Grandpa, all animals need a home.” “She was always trying to pick up stray animals,” said Kelvin Alvarenga, Nungaray’s grandfather.

The girl’s body was found June 17 in a shallow creek after police said she had sneaked out of her nearby home the night before. She died of strangulation, according to the medical examiner.

Two Venezuelans who entered the United States illegally have been charged with capital murder for Nungaray’s death. Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, are each being held on $10 million bail in the Harris County Jail in Houston. The two men were arrested earlier this year near El Paso, Texas, by the U.S. Border Patrol after entering the country without documents. Both were released and summoned to appear in court at a later date.

The suspects allegedly lured the girl under a bridge and stayed with her for more than two hours, according to court documents. They allegedly took off her pants, tied her up and killed her before dumping her body in the bayou, prosecutors said.

Family members and friends were expected to gather for Nungaray’s funeral Thursday afternoon in north Houston.

The funeral was to be followed by a celebration of his life to be held at a furniture store owned by Houston businessman Jim McIngvale, who is financing Nungaray’s funeral.

“We invite you to come and we, as a community, lift up Jocelyn and her family,” McIngvale said in an article on X.