Authorities discovered the bodies of a missing mother and her two children in a wooded area in Baldwin County. The victims were identified as Aurelia Choc, her daughter Niurka, and her son Anthony. The suspect, Hector Argueta-Guerra, initially charged with kidnapping, now faces murder charges. Investigations reveal they were killed with an edged weapon. Argueta-Guerra, believed to be a Sureños gang member with a criminal history, had been ordered for deportation previously. The motive for the crime remains under investigation.
Authorities say the bodies of a missing Theodore mother and her two children were discovered Wednesday in Baldwin County , buried together in a wooded area off Downing Road in Summerdale. . The criminal complaint states they were wrapped in plastic and bedding before being buried.
The victims have been identified as 40-year-old Aurelia Choc, her 17-year-old daughter Niurka Zuleta Choc, and her 2-year-old son Anthony Garcia Choc.The criminal complaint states the family was killed with an “edged weapon.” Investigators say Anthony suffered sharp-force trauma to the head, and Aurelia sustained sharp-force injuries to the chest and back. The motive for the killings remains under investigation. “What motive would there be for killing a 2-year-old? We don’t know,” Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said during a press conference on Thursday. Sheriff Burch previously said there were no signs of forced entry at the Theodore home. However, investigators found blood throughout the house and evidence of a struggle. Authorities also said a mattress and a clothes hamper were missing from the home, while the victims’ cell phones and cash were left behind. The family was last seen alive on Friday, Jan. 30. Hector Argueta-Guerra, who was initially charged with kidnapping the family from their home, is now charged with their murders. Investigators say they do not yet know whether the victims were alive when they left the home.-Three counts of capital murder during the course of kidnapping-Capital murder for the deaths of two or more persons-Obstruction of justice for allegedly providing false identification to law enforcementBurch says Argueta-Guerra is believed to be a member of the Sureños gang and has a lengthy criminal history, including active warrants in El Salvador. Burch said the suspect had previously been ordered to be deported but was released in 2021. During the press conference, Burch criticized the Biden administration, saying federal officials bore responsibility for the family's deaths. "We wouldn't be standing here today if this defendant, who has an extensive criminal history, was not released under Biden's administration in 2021. So, Biden, Harris, Mayorkas, Merrick Garland has the blood of this family on their hands," said Burch. Prior to the press conference, Burch said the White House contacted local authorities to offer federal support and resources in the investigation. The investigation remains active, and officials say more information will be released as it becomes available.On March 11, 2026, three bodies were discovered buried in a wooded lot in Summerdale in Baldwin County. We believe the deceased are members of the Choc family. Jewelry bearing the names of the mother, Aurelia, and her two-year-old son, Anthony, was recovered with the bodies. Please note, however, that official forensic identification has not yet been completed. Court records show that all three were killed with “an edged weapon” and suffered “sharp force trauma”. The records further describe the wounds to Aurelia were on the chest and back, and 2-year-old Anthony Garcia suffered a wound to the head. No information on Nurica was provided in the records.All three were wrapped in plastic and bedding before being buried in “a clandestine grave” in Baldwin County, according to the charging document.The Mobile County Sheriff's Office, HSI, and FBI are holding a press conference at the Mobile County Sheriff's Office Thursday morning.Authorities believe theyAuthorities say the bodies of a missing Theodore mother and her two children were discovered Wednesday in Baldwin County, buried together in a wooded area off DAn elementary school teacher's body was found inside her workplace shortly before classes began, but authorities said she may have already been dead for days.Gulf Shores Police have confirmed 18 arrests after spring break beach crackdowns with 6 guns seized:On the afternoon of March 11, 2026, we became aware of largeIt was an online ad that offered an opportunity for sex at a price.And it came with one, a costly price for those who engaged the ad, made a deal and showed up
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