Manhunt for mystery man with tattoo behind his right ear who was seen wearing black Volcom sweatshirt after cheerleader, 16, was found dead in the bathtub of her Texas apartment

Police in Texas are looking for a man with a distinctive tattoo behind his right ear, and who was wearing a black 'Volcom' sweatshirt after a teenage cheerleader was found murdered in her family apartment.

Surveillance photos released by Edna Police show the suspect wearing the distinctive black clothing. He is also believed to have been driving a silver Ford Taurus which was also caught on camera.

The search for the man comes following the death of Lizbeth Medina, 16, who was found dead in a bathtub on Tuesday in Edna, a small town outside of Houston, by her mother Jacquelin Medina.

Very few details have been released about the investigation into Lizbeth's death, although police are approaching the investigation as a possible capital murder case which means the perpetrator would be eligible for the death penalty.

The heartbroken mom said her daughter was supposed to be in a Christmas parade with her cheer on Tuesday, but never showed up. 

'We understand the community wants information in regards to the case, however we have to keep the integrity of the investigation our number one priority,' EPD Chief Rick Boone said in a post on social media. 

'We also understand the community is concerned about the individual still being on the loose.' 

Edna Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Ranger Division are all actively investigating Lizbeth's death. 

According to a press release, officers were dispatched to Cottonwood Apartments around 6.57pm last Tuesday. 

'Upon arrival, Officers believed the juvenile to be deceased,' the release said. 

'[It was] the most horrible way a mother could find her child. She was murdered in cold blood,' mom, Jacquelin told KHOU. 

'It should have been a great day because she was involved in the Christmas parade. She was going to be with the cheer squad,' Jacquelin went on.

'I lost it. She was my world, my everything. ... Everything I do was for her. Someone dared to go in and just rip my daughter away from me, it just kills me,' she said. 

'I just want answers to why they would do this to an amazing little girl who would never hurt anyone, wouldn't dare to hurt anyone.'

The small community of Edna, home to around 6,000 people, has been rattled by events.

'She was a very good girl, and recently, I've received messages from hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people. And it amazes me because I didn't know how much she was loved by everybody else,' Jacquelin said. 

Emergency medical services then arrived at the scene and attempted to revive Lizbeth but were unsuccessful. 

It is not yet known how exactly Lizbeth was murdered, but someone who posted to Facebook about her death said that she was 'brutally murdered in her own home'. 

Lizbeth, who also went by Liz was a junior at Edna High School, planned to attend Arlington University to study nursing.

'She was a beautiful and talented girl full of life & many dreams,' a loved one revealed on Facebook.

Her mother posted a video of Liz cheering during a football game at her school stating: 'My baby, you didn't deserve to be taken from me this way... u had amazing plans for ur future.' 

'Such an amazing girl. I love you mija....' 

When she first discovered her deceased daughter in their home, Jaquline told KHOU that she 'lost it'. 

'Someone dared to go in and just rip my daughter away from me, it just kills me.' 

'I just want answers to why they would do this to an amazing little girl who would never hurt anyone, wouldn't dare to hurt anyone,' her mother said. 

The outpouring of support from the small-town community has left Jacqueline feeling loved and supported while she grieves her daughter. 

One friend who cheered with Lizbeth posted a heartfelt tribute to Facebook and said: 'The loss of a friend like you is something that can never be recovered. You have always been an important part of our life.' 

'Words cannot describe what I am feeling. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the people you left behind. Rest in peace gorgeous we love you so much.' 

Jacqueline said that she didn't realize just how many people her daughter impacted and 'how much she was loved by everybody else'. 

During a football game on Thursday night, the Edna football team and community plan to honor Lizbeth by wearing purple ribbons and shirts. 

An image of a purple ribbon has also circulated on social media as Lizbeth's loved ones have gone on to make it their profile pictures for her, along with the hashtag #JusticeforLiz. 

A conviction of capital murder in the state of Texas is defined as a capital felony which is punishable by life imprisonment, the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. 

Those with information should call Edna police at 361-782-6522 or contact Crime Stoppers at 361-552-2274.