Missing Pennsylvania family found murdered, man charged

CONTENT WARNING – A Pennsylvania family reported missing last week has been found dead, and a Reading man is now facing murder charges in connection with their deaths.

Details: Missing Pennsylvania family murdered

Junior Cabrera-Colon, 31, turned up in Baer Park on the morning of September 13 with a gunshot wound to the head.

Police found his body in brush along River Road during a routine patrol.

Cabrera-Colon lived with his wife, Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, 31, and their 1-year-old son, Jeyden Junior Peguero. None had been seen since September 12. Authorities quickly classified Geraldina and Jeyden as endangered and launched a search.

On September 18, police arrested Jose Luis Rodriguez, 61, of Reading. During questioning, Rodriguez confessed to killing Cabrera-Colon and dumping his body in the park.

Jose Luis Rodriguez (Berks County Police Department)

The next evening, investigators located Geraldina’s body in a field in Ontelaunee Township. Days later, an autopsy confirmed the second victim was her son, Jeyden. Both deaths were ruled homicides, though officials have not released the cause.

Rodriguez Confesses to Triple Homicide

Authorities say Rodriguez admitted to picking up Peguero-Mancebo and her son on Friday, Sept. 12, intending to kill her. He told investigators he targeted the 31-year-old mother because she refused to leave Cabrera-Colon. Authorities confirmed Rodriguez had a relationship with Peguero-Mancebo, though its full nature remains unclear.

Rodriguez previously worked with Peguero-Mancebo at a warehouse and rented her an apartment. He claimed she was taking his money, which enraged him. Near East Huller Lane, Rodriguez confessed to shooting her in the back of the head.

He then carried 1-year-old Junior Peguero down the street, threw him into a pond, and left him to drown. An autopsy revealed the child died from freshwater drowning; mud was found in his lungs.

After the killings, Rodriguez met Cabrera-Colon. The two argued about Rodriguez’s involvement with Peguero-Mancebo. Rodriguez said the argument turned physical. He claimed Cabrera-Colon dropped a gun, which Rodriguez picked up and used to shoot him in the head.

Rodriguez reportedly said he placed Cabrera-Colon’s body in his car and drove it to Baer Park. He left the vehicle there. Reading police discovered the body on the morning of Sept. 13.

Investigators identified Rodriguez as a suspect and obtained his confession on Sept. 18. That night, they found Peguero-Mancebo’s body in a grassy field near East Huller Lane. On Sept. 20, search teams located Junior Peguero’s body in thick mud and stagnant water, 10–15 feet from shore.

On Sept. 22, Rodriguez led Berks County investigators to the gun, phone, and purse he had hidden.

Rodriguez has been charged with first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and related crimes. He remains in Berks County Prison.

GoFundMe campaign created for support

According to a GoFundMe campaign, Geraldina and Junior were married and shared four children. Three of their children, ages 13, 10, and 8, are currently in the Dominican Republic.

“They leave behind three orphaned children… now must face life without their mother and father,” the fundraiser reads. “Any help, big or small, will be a seed of hope for them in this painful time.”

The Berks County District Attorney’s Office is leading the investigation into the deaths of Geraldina and Jeyden.