Authorities in Mobile County, Alabama, recovered the bodies of missing mother Aurelia Choc Cac, 40, and her children Niurka Zuleta Choc, 17, and Anthony Garcia Choc, 2, on March 11, 2026, buried in plastic and bedding in a wooded area of Baldwin County. Hector Gamaliel Argueta-Guerra, 31, initially jailed for kidnapping since February, now faces three capital murder counts (including during kidnapping/burglary, child under 14, and multiple victims), plus abuse of corpse and obstruction; prosecutors seek the death penalty after “gruesome” autopsies showing sharp-edged weapon trauma.
Incident Timeline
The family vanished January 30 from their Theodore home (9000 block Ben Hamilton Road), where blood and struggle signs were found. Bodies, identified by jewelry, were linked to Argueta-Guerra’s property; he allegedly killed them with a sharp weapon, possibly moving them alive or dead.
Suspect Background
Argueta-Guerra, a Sureños gang member illegally in the U.S., faced 2021 deportation but was released; he pled not guilty March 13, denied bond, with a preliminary hearing April 6. Motive unknown, especially for the toddler; Sheriff Burch called him “evil.”
