Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Peña were attacked and murdered while taking a shortcut home in Houston in 1993. A group of gang members participated in the crimes. Their deaths led to multiple trials and years of reporting about the victims and the defendants’ sentences.
Content note: violence, abuse, or loss. Linked material may contain graphic descriptions. Screen dramatizations may change events and dialogue.
Houston, Texas. The map provides regional context; individually verified historical places are listed below.
Map sources checked September 14, 2026. No case-specific Odd Stops location was found in this review.
See this case’s source review
Odd Stops
No verified match found. Source imagery is linked; only separately licensed photos are reproduced.
MurderData
No verified match found.
ArcGIS essay
Not included in this essay.
Reddit map
Reviewed as a general resource. Its coordinates and victim counts were not adopted as case evidence.
“No verified match” describes the accessible material found in this review, not proof that a source has never covered the case. MAP’s anonymous records were not individually matched to people.
Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.
No verified fictional adaptation or inspiration has been identified in this collection. Nonfiction coverage is listed in the other media sections.
01Books
0 items
This section is awaiting its first entry.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
02Movies
0 items
Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.
A verified movie listing has not been added yet.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
03TV & documentaries
2 items
Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.
Apple TV
Texas True Crime — Pure Evil (S4 E1)
Nonfiction screen coverage of this case. The linked page identifies the program or episode; playback, subscriptions, and regional availability vary.
IMDb episode reference connected to the Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña case. Listed release: 2025. Cast, credits, and title information; viewing availability is separate.
Original newspaper coverage, hosted by Newspapers.com. Read each article in the context of its publication date; later findings may differ. Full-page access may require sign-in.
Featured newspaper clipping
Read a featured clipping here, then explore more reporting in the newspaper archive.
The Marshall News Messenger · 2008-08-07 · Page 10
Medellin executed after international legal dispute
The report covers Jose Medellin's execution for his role in the murders of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Peña and the dispute over consular access.
Historical reporting on the execution and international treaty arguments.
Loads the article viewer from Newspapers.com. That service receives your browser and connection information and may use cookies. Access is controlled by the publisher; a subscription may be needed for additional archive material.
Case videos, posts, family pages, and creator communities. Creator channels and groups cover multiple cases; each includes a link to the relevant episode. Facebook or TikTok may require sign-in, and groups may require membership approval. Community opinions are separate from verified reporting.
Kimbyrleigha
DEADLY Shortcut: Best Friends Murdered On Their Way Home At Night | Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña
Video from Kimbyrleigha covering the Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña case. Length: 1:37:57.
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “EP 243 - TEXAS: THE DARKEST CRIME IN TEXAS HISTORY: The Gang Killings of Elizabeth Peña and Jennifer Ertman.” This discussion group covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. Group rules or membership approval may limit access.
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “EP 243 - TEXAS: THE DARKEST CRIME IN TEXAS HISTORY: The Gang Killings of Elizabeth Peña and Jennifer Ertman.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Fruitloops: Serial Killers of Color — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “E77: The Murders of Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Fruitloops: Serial Killers of Color — Facebook group
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “E77: The Murders of Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña.” This discussion group covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. Group rules or membership approval may limit access.
Outside blogs, personal essays, and creator write-ups. These reflect each author’s perspective. Check publication dates and compare claims with reporting and court records.
This section is awaiting its first entry.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
09Internet Archive
0 items
Individual records from Internet Archive: library books, historical broadcasts, and preserved web pages. A catalog listing does not guarantee free reading or full playback. Access, previews, and borrowing are controlled by Internet Archive.
This section is awaiting its first entry.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
10From the journal
0 articles
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New material will appear here after editorial review.
11Court records & documents
1 items
Court opinions, filings, transcripts, and dockets, alongside clearly labeled parole records, released investigative files, and courtroom recordings. Each item identifies its source and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. These selections are not complete case files. Where an online document could not be verified, a separate guide identifies the records office or archive to contact.
Docket & document indexOfficial court
Medellín v. Texas — U.S. Supreme Court docket
The Supreme Court’s official proceedings-and-orders register for José Medellín’s appeal, connected with the prosecution for Jennifer Ertman’s and Elizabeth Peña’s murders. The register lists filings and case milestones.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
13Where are they now?
0 items
The latest information verified for this collection is listed below. Each source has its own date; these are not live custody records.
A current-status update has not been verified for this case yet.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
14Positive Outcome
0 items
Documented laws, advocacy, and reforms connected to this case. Changes do not undo the harm, and listing a law does not claim that it is effective or universally supported.
No case-specific law, reform, or advocacy initiative has been verified for this collection yet. This does not mean that none exists.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña — media, court records & case files | Unforgotten Casebook
07Social Media
9 itemsCase videos, posts, family pages, and creator communities. Creator channels and groups cover multiple cases; each includes a link to the relevant episode. Facebook or TikTok may require sign-in, and groups may require membership approval. Community opinions are separate from verified reporting.
Kimbyrleigha
DEADLY Shortcut: Best Friends Murdered On Their Way Home At Night | Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña
Video from Kimbyrleigha covering the Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña case. Length: 1:37:57.
Watch on YouTubeResidue: A True Crime Podcast
65: Crossing Paths With Evil: PART ONE, The Tragic Story of Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña
Video from Residue: A True Crime Podcast covering the Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña case. Length: 1:01:12.
Watch on YouTubeKPRC 2 Click2Houston
1993 - Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena Murder
Video from KPRC 2 Click2Houston covering the Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña case. Length: 1:51.
Watch on YouTubeResidue: A True Crime Podcast
Crossing Paths With Evil: PART TWO, The Tragic Story of Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña
Video from Residue: A True Crime Podcast covering the Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña case. Length: 52:20.
Watch on YouTubeABC13 Houston
Victims advocate to urge parole board to deny release of man involved in 1993 Ertman-Pena murders
Video from ABC13 Houston covering the Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña case. Length: 3:21.
Watch on YouTubeFacebook · Creator community
Murder In America — Facebook group
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “EP 243 - TEXAS: THE DARKEST CRIME IN TEXAS HISTORY: The Gang Killings of Elizabeth Peña and Jennifer Ertman.” This discussion group covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. Group rules or membership approval may limit access.
View the Facebook groupFacebook · Creator channel
Murder In America — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “EP 243 - TEXAS: THE DARKEST CRIME IN TEXAS HISTORY: The Gang Killings of Elizabeth Peña and Jennifer Ertman.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook pageFacebook · Creator channel
Fruitloops: Serial Killers of Color — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “E77: The Murders of Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook pageFacebook · Creator community
Fruitloops: Serial Killers of Color — Facebook group
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “E77: The Murders of Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña.” This discussion group covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. Group rules or membership approval may limit access.
View the Facebook group