The community of Dover, Florida, was rocked by a brutal and senseless crime that claimed the lives of Amalia Coc Choc de Pec and her 4-year-old daughter, Estrella Anastasia Pec Coc. The perpetrator, Angel Gabriel Cuz-Choc, now faces charges for their murders, leaving the community reeling in shock and disbelief.
The tragic incident unfolded in the quiet confines of a mobile home, where the bodies of Amalia Coc Choc de Pec and Estrella Anastasia Pec Coc were discovered with stab wounds. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister described the scene as “horrific,” with Coc Choc’s body found in the backyard under a tarp, while Estrella was found in a bathtub with the water still running. The brutality of the murders sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, leaving neighbors and authorities stunned by the sheer violence of the act.
Detectives pieced together the events leading up to the murders, uncovering evidence suggesting a violent confrontation. CCTV footage captured Coc Choc’s desperate screams as she was forcibly taken outside against her will. The murders are believed to have occurred on a Wednesday afternoon, shattering the tranquility of the neighborhood and leaving residents grappling with fear and disbelief.
Following the murders, Angel Gabriel Cuz-Choc fled into a nearby strawberry field, seeking help from acquaintances but met with rejection. His brothers later informed investigators that he confessed to the murders, citing Coc Choc’s perceived transgression of spending too much time with a friend. The victims, who had only recently migrated from Guatemala, were thrust into the spotlight of a tragedy that would reverberate throughout the community and beyond.
Amidst the grief and shock, the swift response of law enforcement officers led to Cuz-Choc’s arrest within 18 hours of the murders. Despite attempts to evade capture, he was ultimately apprehended by officers, bringing a measure of closure to a community grappling with the aftermath of unspeakable violence. During his interrogation, Cuz-Choc purportedly admitted to the heinous crimes, providing investigators with chilling details of the events that transpired on that fateful afternoon.
Prosecutors wasted no time in seeking justice for the victims, filing a request for pretrial detention based on the brutal nature of the murders. Evidence at the crime scene painted a grim picture of a violent struggle, with blood traces and handprints bearing witness to the harrowing ordeal endured by Coc Choc and Estrella. The community rallied together in solidarity, mourning the loss of two innocent lives taken far too soon by an act of senseless violence.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the memory of Amalia Coc Choc de Pec and Estrella Anastasia Pec Coc lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them. Their tragic deaths serve as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the need to cherish every moment with loved ones. In the face of unimaginable tragedy, the community remains united in seeking justice for Coc Choc and Estrella, ensuring that their legacy is one of remembrance, resilience, and hope for a safer, more compassionate future.
