Man Receives Death Penalty for Heinous Double Homicide
A Florida court has delivered the ultimate sentence to a man convicted of brutally murdering his girlfriend and her young daughter in a horrific crime that shocked the community. Angel Gabriel Cuz-Choc, 33, was sentenced to death after being found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for the killings that occurred in April 2024.
The Tragic Events Unfold
The violence erupted on April 24, 2024, at a mobile home located in the 3700 block of Sumner Road in Dover, just outside Tampa. According to prosecutors, Cuz-Choc became enraged when his girlfriend, Amalia Coc Choc de Pec, 36, returned home later than expected. This anger escalated into a deadly attack that would claim two innocent lives.
Investigators revealed that Cuz-Choc chased Amalia outside the mobile home, dragged her to the backyard, and murdered her with both a shovel and a knife. Evidence at the scene included a bloody handprint smeared on the side of the mobile home, indicating Amalia had fought desperately for her life as she attempted to escape her attacker.
A Child's Life Cut Short
After killing Amalia, Cuz-Choc entered the residence where he found her four-year-old daughter, Estrella Anastasia Pec Coc, in the bathtub. The court heard how he then stabbed the young girl multiple times while she was conscious and aware of what was happening to her.
Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco, who became emotional during sentencing, described the attack on Estrella as "heinous, atrocious, and cruel." Medical evidence presented at trial showed the child sustained at least six significant injuries to her body, including two to her neck and four to her right hand.
The Investigation and Manhunt
When deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to a call about a deceased female at approximately 5:30 p.m. on April 24, they discovered Amalia's body in a trailer in the backyard, lying in what officials described as "her own puddle of blood." Inside the main residence, they found Estrella's lifeless body.
By this time, Cuz-Choc had fled the scene, prompting an intensive manhunt that lasted 18 hours. Law enforcement eventually located the suspect hiding in heavy vegetation nearby, with a police dog leading to his discovery. His arrest was captured on body camera footage that would later become evidence in the trial.
The Trial and Sentencing
During the trial, prosecutors presented multiple weapons linked to the murders as well as surveillance video showing Cuz-Choc chasing Amalia on the property. Despite this compelling evidence, Cuz-Choc testified that he had no memory of the attacks.
The jury unanimously recommended the death penalty after finding Cuz-Choc guilty, and Judge Sisco agreed with their recommendation. In her sentencing remarks, Judge Sisco detailed the sequence of events, emphasizing the brutality of both murders and the particular cruelty inflicted upon the young child.
Background and Aftermath
Further investigation revealed that Cuz-Choc had entered the United States unlawfully in 2023 and was a suspect in two separate murders in his native Guatemala, according to local Fox affiliate WTVT. This information added context to the violent nature of the crimes committed in Florida.
State Attorney Suzy Lopez addressed the sentencing in a statement, acknowledging the gravity of the case. "This is not a sentence anyone celebrates. This was one of the most horrific crimes we've ever seen in Hillsborough County," Lopez said. "The case has now come full circle. Nothing can bring Amalia and Estrella back, but we do believe we've gotten justice for them and their surviving family members in Guatemala."
The double murder has left a lasting impact on the community, serving as a tragic reminder of domestic violence's potential consequences. While the legal process has concluded with Cuz-Choc's death sentence, the memory of Amalia and Estrella lives on through those who knew and loved them.
