Punta Gorda Man Hacked to Death, Two Arrested for Murder

One man is dead, and two others are behind bars following a gruesome chopping incident in the Toledo District. Around 8:30 Good Friday on morning, Punta Gorda police discovered the body of 27-year-old Jeremiah Coc in a bushy area on Mahogany Street in the town’s Indianville area.  Coc was found with multiple chop wounds to his neck and back and was covered in blood. He had been socializing with friends at a nearby establishment earlier and was last seen leaving on his bicycle. Sometime after riding off around midnight, police say he was killed by 27-year-old Axel Zetino, a resident of Mahogany Street, and a 17-year-old Guatemalan minor. On Monday, police jointly charged the duo with Coc’s murder. While a motive for the murder is yet to be provided by police, the alleged murderers are expected to be arraigned today. Coc was resident of Punta Gorda Town and lived not too far from where he was killed. Senior Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung spoke to his brother, Clemente, about Coc and his unfortunate murder. 

Pastor Celemente Coc, Older Brother: “I got into a real tight relationship with my little brother. He is the second to the youngest I believe, about three years ago. I knew him, well like I said because I didn’t grow up with him within that three years I took him in one year after, came to live with me because I wanted him to change his life. I wanted him to know Jesus as his lord and savior and well for the year he was living with me he was changing. Took a while but after that year, the second year, he changed a lot. I mean he committed his life to church, to his nieces and nephews and he has done a lot of good things. I mean earlier I was watching the videos and pictures of his contribution to the community here in Indianville because we had done some projects here in Indianville and he was a big part of it. Because before he didn’t want to do anything with God or church but eventually he had that change and I tell you I mean I saw a changed Jeremiah. Just a few days ago I saw a changed Jeremiah I am mean respect that he has not just for me maybe as a pastor but as a brother and I noticed that’s what he has with people too. So that’s what I can say about my brother.”

Paul Mahung, Toledo Correspondent: Any thoughts in your mind why anybody would want to murder him or chop him the way they did ? 

Pastor Celemente Coc, Older Brother:  “No Mr.Paul. I don’t.”

Police found a machete believed to be the murder weapon in bushes next to Coc’s body.