DOVER, FL – The lives of Amalia Coc Choc de Pec and her young daughter, Estrella Anastasia Pec Coc, were cut short in a brutal attack that shocked the quiet farming community just east of Tampa. This week, the man responsible for their deaths, Angel Gabriel Cuz-Choc, was sentenced to death after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder in a case that left a mark on authorities and family members alike.
The horrifying incident unfolded on April 24 at a mobile home nestled among strawberry fields along Sumner Road. Deputies were called to the scene around 5:30 p.m. after reports of a deceased woman. First responders discovered evidence of a struggle — a bloody handprint smeared along the side of the trailer, a silent testament to Amalia’s desperate fight for her life.
Inside, Amalia, 36, was found lifeless in the backyard trailer. She had reportedly suffered from a violent assault, her final moments spent trying to escape. But the devastation did not end there. Four-year-old Estrella, Amalia’s daughter, was discovered inside the home, her young life ended in an act of unimaginable violence.
Investigators believe that Amalia’s late return home that day triggered an eruption of rage in Cuz-Choc, culminating in the murders. Authorities said after killing Amalia, Cuz-Choc turned his attention to Estrella, stabbing her multiple times while she was in the bathtub. Medical testimony later showed that Estrella had defensive wounds on her hands, suggesting the child was awake and attempted to protect herself from the fatal attack.
While the crime scene was being processed, Cuz-Choc had fled into the surrounding area, prompting a massive manhunt. The search lasted close to 18 hours, ending when a police dog tracked the suspect to a patch of dense vegetation nearby. Authorities said body camera video captured the arrest, bringing a dramatic close to a widespread search.
The aftermath reached far beyond Florida. Amalia and Estrella were originally from Guatemala, where surviving family members now grieve the loss from afar. The tragedy drew attention not only for the brutality of the killings but also for the international connections: Cuz-Choc had entered the United States unlawfully in 2023 and is also a person of interest in two unrelated homicides in Guatemala.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors recounted the harrowing details faced by the victims. Evidence presented in court described the pain and fear endured by Amalia and Estrella in their final moments. Judge Michelle Sisco became visibly emotional during sentencing, describing the crime as “heinous, atrocious and cruel,” and acknowledging the suffering Estrella endured as she tried to fend off her attacker.
The verdict and death sentence brought solemn closure to a case that deeply affected the local community and the legal teams involved. Prosecutors emphasized a sense of justice for Amalia and Estrella, acknowledging that no punishment could restore the lives lost but voicing hope that the sentence would provide some solace to those left behind.
Authorities have not released further information regarding the ongoing investigations in Guatemala. For now, the memory of Amalia and Estrella remains in the hearts of their loved ones, as well as the local residents who mourn two lives taken in a moment of violence.