Arlington teen’s last words to family before she was found dead were ‘I love you, Mom’
Just a few weeks ago, 14-year-old Mia Segovia and her family were looking forward to celebrating her quinceañera in Mexico on Aug. 7.
But Segovia won’t get to wear her rose gold-colored dress and celebrate her milestone with those closest to her.
On June 19, she was found dead in an Arlington apartment alongside 18-year-old Henry Gonzalez, who she was dating, according to Segovia’s mother, Rosy Rice. Arlington police are investigating and waiting for the medical examiner to determine the cause of their deaths.
Police had no more information to release as of Friday.
Segovia envisioned herself becoming a heart surgeon, Rice said. Both her aunt and godmother died in February from heart problems. As a heart surgeon, Segovia would’ve wanted to find out why they couldn’t be saved.
Even if she didn’t end up a surgeon, Segovia wanted to be involved in the medical field somehow.
“She really wanted to make a difference and save lives,” Rice said.
Her daughter was helpful and loved, Rice said. If for some reason she ever got in trouble, it was because she was trying to help a friend or because she didn’t back down on something she felt was not right or unfair, the mother said.
Eventually, Segovia wanted to have five children. Rice told her that was too many and they started talking about how much it would cost to raise them, but Segovia told her mom that money didn’t matter as much as the love she’d give her children.
Mia’s best friend, 14-year-old Elissia Rangel, said what hurts is they won’t be able to grow together and see each other’s milestones, which would have included getting married, being at each other’s weddings, and seeing their future kids.
In their three years of friendship, Rangel said, they made countless memories, but the ones she’ll cherish the most are when they would just lie down and talk about each other’s days, dreams and future plans.
“There’s nothing better than those moments,” she said.
Rangel said they had planned their future together, which included starting their own business.
Segovia had started a nails business during the pandemic and Rangel was going to start doing eyelashes, Rangel said. Now that Segovia can’t partner with her best friend, Rangel said she will continue to pursue it for her.
Rangel and Segovia also had plans to visit the beaches of Dubai and other beaches people usually don’t get to see in their lifetime.
“I’m gonna complete the goals and our dreams that we had together,” Rangel said. “Because I know through every step that I take that she’s going to be with me.”
Rice said her daughter, even though she was 14, had plans for her future. She was already thinking about a dual-credit program in high school and eager for college.
“Mia was very independent,” Rice said.
This fall, Segovia was set to start her freshman year, most likely at James Bowie High School. Rice said she was going to attend Bowie High because she wanted to be at the same school as her 16-year-old brother.
Rice said her 16-year-old son saw his sister as his best friend. Even though she was younger, she acted like a big sister for him and was someone who he would confide in, Rice said.
In the last encounter between Rice and her daughter, Segovia asked permission to go out with Gonzalez followed by a hug, a kiss and an “I love you, Mom.”
Gonzalez’s family couldn’t be reached for comment.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 5:31 PM.
