In a disturbing case out of Alabama, authorities discovered the bodies of a missing mother and her two children who were brutally murdered and buried in a wooded area. The victims were Aurelia Choc Cac, 40, her daughter Niurka Zuleta Choc, 17, and her 2-year-old son, Anthony Garcia Choc. All three were killed with a sharp-edged weapon and wrapped in plastic and bedding before being buried.
Hector Argueta-Guerra Arrested on Murder Charges
Hector Gamaliel Argueta-Guerra, 31, has been in the Mobile County Jail since February on kidnapping charges. However, prosecutors added three counts of first-degree murder to his charges on Thursday, following the discovery of the Choc family’s bodies. Argueta-Guerra was allegedly involved in the deaths of the mother and her children.
The family was last seen on January 30 at their home on Ben Hamilton Road in Theodore, Alabama, about 15 miles southwest of Mobile. They were reported missing the following day after authorities found signs of a struggle in the house, including large amounts of blood.
Gruesome Discovery in Baldwin County
The victims’ bodies were found on Wednesday at a property connected to Argueta-Guerra in Baldwin County. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch confirmed the grim discovery during a press conference. Authorities are still working to confirm the identities of the victims but believe the bodies belong to the Choc family, as jewelry found on the bodies matches descriptions provided by the family.
Prosecutors have stated that they plan to seek the death penalty against Argueta-Guerra.
The Violent Killings and the Investigation
According to a local NBC affiliate, WPMI, an arrest affidavit revealed that the victims were murdered with a sharp-edged weapon. The 2-year-old boy suffered “sharp force trauma” to the head, while his mother was apparently stabbed in the chest and back. The bodies were then buried in a “clandestine grave” in a wooded area in Baldwin County.
Sheriff Burch expressed disbelief over the brutal nature of the crime, particularly the murder of the child. “What motive would there be for killing a 2-year-old?” he said, adding that authorities have not yet determined the motive for the killings.
The Suspect’s Background and Deportation Issues
Argueta-Guerra is believed to be a member of the Sureños gang, a California-based group connected to the Mexican Mafia. He was reportedly slated for deportation in 2021 but was released for unknown reasons, according to officials.
The sheriff’s office condemned Argueta-Guerra’s actions, calling him a “sick person” and reaffirming that if convicted, he would likely never see the outside world again.
Community Shock and Continuing Investigation
The shocking nature of this crime has left the community shaken. The Choc family’s tragic deaths have raised questions about the suspect’s motivations, while investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the murders.
Local authorities are continuing their work to bring justice to the victims and their surviving family members.
