MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. — Authorities in Alabama say they have recovered the remains believed to belong to a missing mother and her two children, including a 2-year-old toddler, after a weeks-long search that ended with a grim discovery in Baldwin County.
The victims — Aurelia Choc Cac, 40; her 17-year-old daughter Niurka Zuleta Choc; and her 2-year-old son Anthony Garcia Choc — were reported missing on January 31 from their home in Mobile County.
Following an extensive investigation involving the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, officials announced on March 13 that investigators had located remains believed to be those of the missing family members.
Authorities say the bodies were buried and wrapped in plastic and bedding, and evidence suggests the victims were killed in what prosecutors described as a brutal attack.
Remains Discovered After Weeks-Long Search
Investigators said the remains were discovered in Summerdale in Baldwin County, ending weeks of uncertainty about the family’s disappearance.
Officials confirmed that the bodies were found alongside jewelry bearing the names of Aurelia and her young son, which helped investigators identify the victims.
Authorities said the victims had been wrapped in plastic and bedding before being buried.
Law enforcement officials described the case as a violent and disturbing crime, noting that investigators had been searching for the missing family since late January.
Victims Believed to Have Been Killed With Sharp Weapon
According to court documents cited by investigators, all three victims appear to have been killed using an edged weapon.
The complaint states that the victims suffered severe injuries consistent with sharp force trauma.
Officials said the 2-year-old child showed signs of sharp force trauma to the head.
Investigators also reported that Aurelia Choc Cac suffered multiple sharp-force injuries to her chest and back, indicating a violent attack.
Authorities have described the killings as “gruesome”, emphasizing the severity of the injuries discovered during the investigation.
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Suspect Facing Multiple Capital Murder Charges
Authorities have charged Juan Carlos Argueta Guerra, 31, with three counts of capital murder in connection with the deaths.
Guerra, who police say has also been referred to as “Hector,” has been in custody since February 9, when he was arrested in connection with what investigators initially believed to be a kidnapping involving the victims.
Following the discovery of the remains, prosecutors announced that additional and more serious charges were being filed.
The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office said Guerra now faces multiple capital charges, including:
- Three counts of capital murder during the course of a kidnapping
- Three counts of capital murder during the course of a burglary
- Capital murder involving the deaths of two or more people
- Capital murder involving the death of a child under age 14
- Three counts of abuse of a corpse
- Obstruction of justice for allegedly providing false identification to police
Officials confirmed that prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if Guerra is convicted.
Signs of Violence Found Inside the Home
Investigators first became aware of the disappearance when a neighbor reported the family missing on January 31.
During the initial investigation, authorities found clear signs of a violent struggle inside the family’s residence.
Officials reported discovering large amounts of blood inside the home, suggesting a serious incident had occurred.
Investigators also noted that a mattress was missing from the residence.
The missing mattress became one of several clues that led authorities to believe the victims had been abducted or harmed inside the home.
Second Man Arrested in Related Investigation
Authorities also previously arrested another man in connection with the broader investigation.
Sliverio Garcia, 60, who was identified as Aurelia’s employer, was taken into custody earlier during the case.
Investigators said Garcia had been in a relationship with Aurelia’s 21-year-old daughter and was living with her at the time of the killings.
While Garcia has not been charged with the murders themselves, officials said he was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and was also being held under a Homeland Security Investigations hold due to his undocumented status.
Prosecutors Call Case “Horrific”
Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood described the case as an especially disturbing crime during a press briefing announcing the discovery of the remains.
“This is a horrific, gruesome murder,” Blackwood said.
As investigators continue to review evidence, officials say the case remains active and further developments could emerge as prosecutors prepare for court proceedings.
For the community and the victims’ loved ones, the discovery has brought heartbreaking confirmation of the family’s fate after weeks of uncertainty.
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