World3 min(s) read
Published 08:53 27 May 2026 GMT
Investigators have determined that there may be a serial killer on the loose in Mexico, after discovering three bodies in the same region.
Authorities have been gathering evidence, including surveillance footage, while they look for any connections between the deaths of the women, as their bodies were found in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The first female victim was found on May 10, near the well-known viewpoint of Rancho El Piruli, in Chimborazo.
The second victim's remains would be found just five days later, at a roadside stop along a highway, with the third body being uncovered on a dirt road in the Parque Las Palmas neighbourhood.
Police say that these women were aged from their early-to-mid thirties.
These deaths have come mere weeks before the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off in Mexico City, with Guadalajara and Monterrey also hosting games.
All the victims were found partially undressed, and all had tattoos, as police believe that this may indicate a pattern.
The bodies were found in isolated areas of the tourist town, but none of the women have been officially identified so far.
However, the third body discovered had tattoos around her neck, hand, and forearm.
These were some distinctive designs, including a skull, a woman with horns covering her mouth, and a woman's name, all of which could help identify the victim.
Local outlet Mexico News Daily reports that her body showed signs of violence.
Reports suggest that the victim might be the missing 22-year-old Elizabeth Martinez, but these claims have not been confirmed yet.
Mexican national Martinez had mysteriously vanished in April, with authorities noticing that some of her ink matched that of the victim, according to a missing person report.
The investigation into these murders is currently ongoing, with police considering the possibility of these bodies being transported to the region after being killed elsewhere.
The town was already dealing with cartel issues, with a spike in violence just months ago after members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel protested after the death of their leader, El Mencho.
They would set shops and vehicles on fire, creating roadblocks around the region, with fears rising for soccer fans who are looking to fly to Mexico in the next couple of weeks ahead of the World Cup.
While Mexico City, the capital, is safe and a better spot for visitors, Guadalajara has raised safety concerns as a hub for cartel organizations.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mario Braga, a Latin American security expert, explained: "I think the best advice is, of course, to monitor how the situation evolves,
"It can quickly change and there can be triggers that lead to an escalation of violence."
He continued: "If you are in a different country, it's important to understand the kind of local dynamics that may help mitigate these security risks."
Braga advised tourists not to wander alone at night, and if they are driving, to be aware of which neighborhoods to avoid.
He also told tourists to speak to locals about safe transportation methods or travel routes which would not put them in danger.
