The mother of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray who was brutally murdered by two illegal migrants received a ‘shock’ phone call from former President Donald Trump only minutes before he took the stage to debate President Biden.
Victoria Galvan – who is best friends with Jocelyn’s mother Alexis Nungaray – shared how unexpected the call was and how much it meant to the heartbroken mom, whose daughter was strangled and found floating in a bayou only miles from their Houston home on June 16.
‘He was like, “I’m actually about to come on for a debate” … He gave his condolences, and he said that he would be reaching back out to her,’ Galvan told The New York Post.
‘He wanted to … say that he was praying for Alexis and that he’s been thinking about her and he wanted to reach out. He said that he was going to reach out in a couple days to her … I mean, she was really … we were all shocked,’ Galvan said.
Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, both Venezuelan nationals, were arrested and have been charged with capital murder. They are each being held on $10 million bond.
Alexis Nungaray approaches the casket of her 12-year-old daughter Jocelyn Nungaray during her graveside service on Thursday in Houston
Former President Donald Trump speaking about immigration and the border during Thursday night’s presidential debate
Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, was brutally murdered on June 16 by two Venezuelan migrants
Immigration and the border was one of the hot button issues the candidates sparred over during Thursday’ debate.
Trump spoke of the recent killings by unauthorized migrants entering the country illegally as the country faces unprecedented levels, including the horror death of young Jocelyn Nungaray.
Weeks before the preteens murder, Pena Ramos and Rangel Martinez had been released into the country despite being intercepted by border agents.
During the debate, Trump did not say Jocelyn’s name but spoke of the recent killing authorities alleged were committed by undocumented immigrants.
The other young women murdered but were not named were Laken Riley, 22-year-old nursing student killed Georgia killed while jogging in February, and Rachel Morin, 37, a mother of five, also killed while jogging along a trail in Maryland in August 2023.
‘They are killing our citizens at a level we’ve never seen before. And you are reading it. Like these incredible young girls over the last few days,’ Trump said.
‘One of them, I just spoke to the mother. They just had a funeral for this girl. She’s 12 years old. This is horrible what’s taken place.’
Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, one of the two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, is led from the courtroom by deputies on Tuesday
Franklin Pena Ramos, one of the two men accused of killing the young girl leaves the courtroom after bail was set for $10 million
On May 28, Pena Ramos was fitted with a GPS ankle monitor by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent after he crossed at El Paso in Texas, but he had cut it off by the time the pair were arrested for killing Jocelyn Nungaray.
Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, was also released after being intercepted by border agents on March 14, little more than three months before Jocelyn’s murder.
Ramos had told agents he planned to live with his cousin in Houston, but the tracker was only set to monitor his movements for 21 days, and he was sharing an apartment with Martinez when he was arrested.
Last week, both men were charged with capital murder, and investigators are awaiting the result of tests to confirm whether Jocelyn was raped as well as murdered.
Galvan and Jocelyn’s mom shared how Jocelyn would be in disbelief that Trump called and all the attention the case has garnered.
White doves fly after being released during a graveside service Jocelyn on Thursday
On Thursday was the funeral service and a celebration of life that took place for Jocelyn.
On her obituary was a line from a Billie Eilish song, ‘Things fall apart and time breaks your heart.’
‘We understand all about things falling apart and broken hearts. Because on June 17th, our hearts were broken when our angel, Jocelyn Lisel Nungaray, gained her wings in heaven.’
‘Rest in peace, dear Jocelyn. Your light will continue to shine in our hearts, now with angel wings to guide us.’