Medical examiner reveals identity of 12-year-old girl found strangled in Houston creek

HOUSTON – Two days after a 12-year-old girl was found dead in a north Houston creek, medical examiners have confirmed the girl’s identity.

Jocelyn Nungaray was found around 6:15 a.m. Monday morning. On Tuesday, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences ruled the 12-year-old died of strangulation.

Police released surveillance photos from the 7-Eleven convenience store where the girl was last seen. In these images, investigators saw two persons of interest who they would like to question in connection with the death of the young girl.

Investigators told KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry that the two men were the last to be seen with the girl and appeared to have first met her at the store.

After the little girl wasn’t home, the grandmother said her mother tracked her cell phone to the creek. What she discovered is too emotional to discuss, she said.

“We should not have to worry about 12-year-olds being raped and murdered in the city of Houston. Horrible,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said at a city council meeting Tuesday.

The grandmother said the girl and her family had recently moved to the area near Rankin Road and Kuykendahl Road. She describes her as calm, independent, intelligent and gentle. She dreamed of becoming an actress, loved music and spent time with her brother, she said.

The family has set up a GoFundMe to pay tribute to Jocelyn.

The family asked for help to get the attackers off the streets.

Anyone with information on the identity of the two persons of interest or in this case is asked to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.