In a grim conclusion to a multi-agency search that spanned nearly two months, Alabama authorities confirmed Thursday the recovery of remains believed to be a missing mother and her two young children. The victims—Aurelia Choc Cac, 40, Niurka Zuleta Choc, 17, and 2-year-old Anthony Garcia Choc—had been missing since late January.
Juan Carlos Argueta Guerra, 31, who has been in custody since February 9, now faces multiple counts of capital murder. Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood announced during a press briefing that his office intends to seek the death penalty, describing the killings as “horrific” and “gruesome.”
Evidence of a Violent Struggle
The investigation began on Jan. 31, after a neighbor reported the family missing from their Mobile County residence. Responding deputies discovered a scene of extreme violence; investigators noted a missing mattress and significant blood evidence inside the home, indicating a struggle had occurred.
Following an exhaustive search involving the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, the remains were located Thursday in Summerdale, Baldwin County. According to a criminal complaint, the bodies were found buried and wrapped in plastic and bedding.
Investigators utilized personal items found with the remains, including jewelry bearing the names of Aurelia and 2-year-old Anthony, to assist in the preliminary identification.
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Details of the Alleged Crime
Court documents reveal the brutal nature of the deaths. All three victims were reportedly killed with an “edged weapon.” Forensic evidence cited in the complaint indicates:
- Anthony Garcia Choc (2): Suffered sharp force trauma to the head.
- Aurelia Choc Cac (40): Sustained sharp force wounds to her chest and back.
- Niurka Zuleta Choc (17): Also succumbed to injuries consistent with an edged weapon attack.
Guerra, also known by the alias “Hector,” was initially arrested in connection with the family’s kidnapping. However, the discovery of the bodies led prosecutors to significantly upgrade the charges.
Legal Proceedings and Additional Suspects
The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office has filed a litany of charges against Guerra, including:
- Three counts of capital murder during a kidnapping.
- Three counts of capital murder during a burglary.
- Capital murder for the death of two or more people.
- Capital murder of a child under the age of 14.
- Abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice.
A second individual, 60-year-old Sliverio Garcia, was previously arrested during the kidnapping investigation. Garcia, who was Choc Cac’s employer and was in a relationship with her 21-year-old daughter, remains in custody on a Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) hold due to his undocumented status and a charge of possession of a firearm by a forbidden person. While Garcia was not named in the murder charges on Thursday, the investigation into the full scope of the conspiracy remains active.
Investigative Outlook
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office continues to process evidence from the Summerdale site. Official identification by the Department of Forensic Sciences is pending, though officials expressed high confidence that the remains belong to the Choc family.
“This is a case that has shaken our community to its core,” DA Blackwood stated. “We are committed to ensuring that justice is served for Aurelia, Niurka, and Anthony.”
