Grieving dad of teen killed says 'she had so much life'

Corriann Cervantes' father Cory holds a picture of her as he speaks to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. Authorities claim a 16-year-old, whose name is not being released because of his age, and 17-year-old Jose E. Reyes sexually assaulted and then killed Corriann Cervantes in a vacant apartment on Feb. 5 in an effort to make a deal with the devil. less Corriann Cervantes' father Cory holds a picture of her as he speaks to members of the media during a press conference held outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Houston. ... more Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle Image 1 of / 47 Caption Close Grieving dad of teen killed says 'she had so much life' 1 / 47 Back to Gallery

Cory Cervantes stood gravely in front of a podium, gripping a sheet of paper. This wouldn't be easy - his grief was still fresh - but he wanted people to know about his daughter. He wanted them to know how she loved to take pictures, about her good heart and how she always turned around to grab a second hug.

"She had so much life in her," Cervantes said quietly Friday afternoon in front of a group of reporters outside the Harris County Criminal Courthouse.

On Feb. 8, authorities found Cervantes' 15-year-old daughter, Corriann, dead in an abandoned apartment in Clear Lake. Authorities believe the girl was beaten and sexually assaulted by two teen boys as part of an occult killing. Her body was discovered partially clothed and mutilated with an upside-down cross carved into her stomach.

Authorities arrested Jose E. Reyes, 17, and a 16-year-old boy, whose name is not being released because he is a juvenile. Both were charged with capital murder in Corriann's death.

On Friday, the dead girl's father publicly spoke about his daughter for the first time during a news conference held by the family. He was joined by his sister, Catera Cervantes, 33, as well as two of the girl's other aunts, Michelle Abernethy and Roseanne Harding.

"We're just very sad about what has happened to her," Cory Cervantes said, his voice trailing off.

His sister stood next to him, gripping his arm with both her hands.

"There really are no words to describe how we feel," she said.

Decided to kill

This week, Harris County Assistant District Attorney John Jordan said investigators believe the two boys decided to kill the girl on Feb. 5 when the trio were inside a vacant unit at The Bays on El Camino Real.

Corriann tried to run, but Reyes and the other teen allegedly grabbed and restrained her. They then allegedly struck the girl with an ashtray and a heavy porcelain toilet tank cover. The teens also are accused of using a screwdriver to stab the girl in the face and sexually assaulting her with a plastic rod from window blinds.

"What happened to her was evil,'' Abernethy said.

Family members described Corriann as a sweet and caring girl who enjoyed soccer and loved her family and friends. She attended Clear Lake High School until she was reassigned last month to an alternative school. A born-again Christian, Corriann hoped to become a nurse one day, family members said.

Cory Cervantes said he filed a missing person's report for his daughter on Feb. 5 after she failed to return home the night before when she told her father she was going out. Corriann did not give her parents the details of where she was going that evening. Worried family members began incessantly calling the girl and sending her Facebook messages but never heard back.

Reluctant to speak

The family was reluctant to speak in detail about the case or comment or the alleged killers. However, they indicated they did not know of Reyes or the other teen.

Earlier this week, more than 100 people attended a vigil for Corriann held in an open field near the apartment complex where she was found dead. On Friday, Catera Cervantes said the family felt grateful for the show of support they had received from the community.

"Their prayers are the reason we can stand here now," she said, "and share these memories."