A family from Pennsylvania, who were reported missing earlier this month, was tragically found dead over a week in various locations.
According to a press release from the City of Reading, the timeline began on September 12, when 33-year-old Junior Cabrera-Colon, along with his wife Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, 30, and their young son Jayden, aged 1, were last seen. The following day, Cabrera-Colon was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head near Baer Park in Reading.
Upon learning about Cabrera-Colon’s family, police reported both his wife and child as missing and potentially in danger. Sadly, Peguero-Mancebo was found on September 19, and Jayden’s body was located a day later, September 20, as stated in media reports.
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On September 18, authorities contacted 61-year-old Jose Luis Rodriguez, who purportedly confessed to taking Cabrera-Colon’s life and disposing of his body where it was subsequently discovered. Rodriguez has been arrested and is facing multiple severe charges, including first-degree and third-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence.
Information regarding the circumstances around the deaths of Peguero-Mancebo and Jayden has not yet been disclosed. The District Attorney’s Office for Berks County announced that after conducting autopsies, both mother and son’s deaths were classified as homicides. Their bodies were found separately outside of Reading in Ontelaunee Township. Peguero-Mancebo was located in a grassy field, while Jayden was reported as being “partially submerged” in a marsh just around 150 yards from where his mother’s remains were found.
Currently, no additional charges have been filed against Rodriguez concerning the deaths of Peguero-Mancebo or Jayden. A GoFundMe initiative has been set up to help bring the deceased family’s bodies back to their homeland, the Dominican Republic, highlighting that the couple leaves behind three other children, ages 8, 10, and 13.
Rodriguez is being held in custody without bond and has a preliminary court date set for October 3. The Berks County District Attorney’s Office plans to release further information during a press conference on September 29.
