Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch announced March 11 that three bodies recovered from a wooded area east of Summerdale are believed to be those of a woman and her two children who vanished from their Theodore home in late January.
Background
Aurelia Choc, 40, and her daughter Niurka Choc, 17, and son Anthony Garcia, 2, were last seen on January 30 at their residence in Theodore, Alabama. The disappearance prompted an immediate investigation by the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, which soon uncovered evidence suggesting foul play.
Sheriff Burch revealed last month that investigators discovered blood inside the home, along with cash and cell phones that were left behind. A missing mattress from the residence further raised suspicions about the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.
The Investigation
Hector Gamaliel Argueta Guerra, 31, was arrested in early February on kidnapping charges in connection to the case. Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood announced Thursday that the charges will be upgraded to capital murder following the discovery of the three bodies.
This is a horrific and gruesome murder, Blackwood said according to WALA. The state will seek the death penalty in this case, the charges will be signed today, and we will move through the Alabama justice system.
The three bodies were located buried in a wooded area east of Summerdale. While positive identification is pending, authorities believe they belong to the Choc family. Preliminary autopsy results were expected late Thursday.
Guerra, who is from El Salvador, faced aggravated attempted homicide charges in 2015. Since that time, he has been detained on charges related to terrorism and organized crime, according to Burch.
Key Takeaways
- Aurelia Choc, 40, and her children Niurka Choc, 17, and Anthony Garcia, 2, were last seen Jan. 30 in Theodore, Alabama
- Sheriff Paul Burch discovered blood at the home, along with cash and cell phones left behind
- Hector Gamaliel Argueta Guerra was arrested in early February on kidnapping charges
- Charges will be upgraded to capital murder; DA says state will seek death penalty
- Guerra had prior aggravated attempted homicide charges in 2015 and was detained on terrorism-related charges
- Bodies were found buried in a wooded area east of Summerdale
What's Next
Positive identification of the three bodies through forensic analysis is expected shortly. District Attorney Blackwood indicated formal capital murder charges will be filed Thursday. Investigators have not disclosed a motive in what authorities describe as a triple homicide, with Sheriff Burch notably asking, What motive would there be for killing a 2-year-old? The case will proceed through the Alabama justice system.