Alabama Family Murder: Suspect Linked to Gang, Had Prior Deportation Order

Mobile, Alabama – A suspect in the disappearance and subsequent deaths of an Alabama mother and her two young children has a documented history of gang affiliation and a prior deportation order that was not enforced, authorities revealed. Hector Gamaliel Argueta-Guerra, 27, is now expected to face capital murder charges in connection with the deaths of Aurelia Choc Cac, 40, and her children, Niurka Zuleta-Choc, 17, and Anthony Garcia Choc, 2.

Discovery of the Bodies and Escalating Charges

Authorities recovered the bodies of the three victims in a wooded area off Downing Road in Baldwin County. Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood announced he will upgrade the kidnapping charges against Argueta-Guerra to capital murder, and intends to seek the death penalty. Preliminary autopsy results are expected by the finish of Thursday, March 12, 2026, according to Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch. [KPTV]

Suspect’s Criminal History and Gang Ties

Argueta-Guerra, who was initially identified under the alias Juan Carlos Argueta-Guerra, is a documented member of the Sureños, also known as Sur 13, a street gang originating in Central America. [WSFA] He has a criminal history dating back to 2015 in El Salvador, including an attempted aggravated homicide investigation as a juvenile and active warrants for terrorism and organized crime from 2016, 2018, and 2024.

Deportation Order and Temporary Protected Status

U.S. Records show Argueta-Guerra was detained in Texas in 2015 for being in the country illegally and released after one month. Despite a judge ordering his deportation, he was not removed from the United States due to a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) order for El Salvador in 2021. [WSFA] The TPS designation temporarily blocked deportations to El Salvador, preventing authorities from sending him back to his home country.

Evidence in the Kidnapping Case

The investigation began after the family disappeared on January 31st. DNA evidence found inside the Choc family’s home confirmed the presence of Niurka Zuleta-Choc’s blood on a couch, shoes, a bed, a trash bag, and the bathroom floor. [Fox10TV] Surveillance footage and cell phone data linked a van, borrowed from Argueta-Guerra’s employer, to the abduction. Argueta-Guerra initially denied being near the Choc home but acknowledged owning the cell phone tracked to the location.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the murders. Investigators discovered the bodies after cadaver dogs alerted to a specific location where all three victims were buried on a property associated with Argueta-Guerra. [KPTV]