A man from Pennsylvania has been sentenced to spend the remainder of his life in prison for the brutal murder of a married couple and their young son in a premeditated attack. Jose Luis Rodriguez, 29, was handed three consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, as confirmed by the Berks County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday, April 14.
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The case began with the discovery of 31-year-old Junior Cabrera-Colon’s body, which was found on the side of a road in Reading on September 13, 2025. Initial investigations revealed that Cabrera-Colon’s wife, Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, also 31, and their one-year-old son, Jeyden Peguero, had not been heard from since the previous day. Tragically, a week later, Peguero-Mancebo’s body was discovered in a wooded area in Ontelaunee Township, approximately seven miles north of Reading. The body of little Jeyden was found shortly thereafter, partially submerged in a marshy region just yards from where his mother was located.
According to prosecutors, Rodriguez confessed to the killings, claiming he had a relationship with Peguero-Mancebo that devolved into violence over alleged financial disputes. He asserted that the murders were committed in a fit of rage because she refused to leave her husband.
The severity of the crimes was detailed further by the Berks County prosecution team, who revealed the disturbing specifics of the events leading up to the murders. On September 12, 2025, Rodriguez reportedly picked up Peguero-Mancebo and her child before shooting her in the head with a 9mm handgun. In a despicable act, he then drowned the toddler in the adjacent marsh. Later that same night, Rodriguez shot Cabrera-Colon in the head.
During the court proceedings, the prosecutor described each killing as premeditated, underscoring that each act was carried out with malice and the intent to kill. The assistant district attorney stressed the calculated nature of the attacks, highlighting the emotional toll these crimes would have on the victims’ families.
After the sentencing, Heinel Medrano, a cousin of Peguero-Mancebo, spoke with local media about the family’s response to the outcome of the case. Medrano expressed gratitude for the closure that the court’s decision provided, stating that while it may not offer complete relief, it does signify the end of a painful chapter for the family.
Rodriguez’s behaviour in the aftermath of the murders raised alarm within the families of the victims. Medrano disclosed that Rodriguez had initially reached out to relatives in the Dominican Republic, claiming to be concerned for the missing mother and child. This ruse led the family to believe Rodriguez was trying to help, until they were horrified to learn that he was, in fact, the perpetrator of the horrific acts.
The loss has not only affected the immediate family but has also left behind three other children, aged 13, 10, and 8, who are now left to grapple with the tragedy of losing both parents and a brother. In light of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was established to provide financial support to the surviving children.
This shocking case serves as a grim reminder of domestic violence and its devastating consequences, leaving communities shocked and heartbroken in its wake. With Rodriguez now sentenced to life without parole, the focus can shift towards supporting the surviving family members as they navigate their immense loss and seek to rebuild their lives following this tragic event.