Remains believed to be those of Aurelia Choc Cac (40) and her children Niurka Zuleta Choc (17) and 2-year-old Anthony Garcia Choc were recovered March 13 in Summerdale, Baldwin County. Authorities say the victims were buried wrapped in plastic and showed signs of fatal sharp-force injuries; the child had head trauma. Juan Carlos Argueta Guerra, 31, arrested in February, faces multiple capital murder and related charges, and prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. A second man was held earlier on firearm and immigration-related matters but has not been publicly tied to the killings.
Mother and Two Children Found Buried in Alabama; Suspect Faces Multiple Capital Murder Charges
Aurelia Choc, Niurka Zuleta Choc, Anthony Garcia Choc.Credit: Remembering The Choc Family - Mobile, Alabama/Facebook
Authorities in Alabama say remains believed to be those of a mother and her two children who vanished from their Mobile County home on Jan. 31 were recovered on March 13 in Summerdale, Baldwin County.
The victims have been identified as Aurelia Choc Cac, 40; her daughter Niurka Zuleta Choc, 17; and her son Anthony Garcia Choc, 2. According to a criminal complaint and statements from the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, the remains were buried wrapped in plastic and covered with bedding.
Evidence and Injuries
Investigators say the three victims showed signs of a violent killing inflicted with an edged weapon. The complaint states Anthony suffered sharp-force trauma to the head, while Aurelia had sharp-force wounds to her chest and back. Jewelry recovered at the recovery site bore images and names linking the items to Aurelia and Anthony.
Investigation and Arrest
The family was reported missing by a neighbor on Jan. 31 after concerns were raised about their well-being. Deputies who searched the Mobile County residence found signs of a struggle, significant blood inside the home and a missing mattress, the sheriff's office said.
Juan Carlos Argueta Guerra (left); and Aurelia Choc Cac Niurka Zuleta Choc Anthony Garcia Choc.Credit: Mobile County Metro Jail; Mobile County Sheriff's Office/Facebook
Police arrested 31-year-old Juan Carlos Argueta Guerra on Feb. 9 in connection with the alleged kidnappings. Guerra, who has at times been identified by officers as "Hector," is now charged with multiple counts of capital murder and several related offenses.
Charges and Prosecutors' Statement
The Mobile County District Attorney's Office announced upgraded charges against Guerra, which include:
- Three counts of capital murder during the course of kidnapping
- Three counts of capital murder during the course of a burglary
- Capital murder for the death of two or more people
- Capital murder of a child under 14
- Three counts of abuse of a corpse
- Obstruction of justice for allegedly providing false identification to police
"This is a horrific, gruesome murder," Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood said at a briefing announcing the recovery and charges.
Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty in the case.
Other Person of Interest
A second man, Sliverio Garcia, 60, was previously arrested during the investigation. Authorities say Garcia — who had been held on an immigration hold by Homeland Security Investigations because of his undocumented status — was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm prohibited to certain persons. Officials have not publicly linked him to the killings.
Ongoing Investigation
The Mobile County Sheriff's Office and the FBI continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the family's disappearance and deaths. Officials have not released additional details about a motive or a timeline beyond the information included in the criminal complaint and statements to the public.
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