Three Women Found Dead Within Two Weeks in Puerto Vallarta; Police Investigate Possible Serial Killer

Fears are rising among tourists and locals in a Mexican resort city amid reports of a possible serial killer targeting women. Three women have been found murdered in Puerto Vallarta within a span of two weeks, prompting an investigation by officials.

While police have yet to determine whether the deaths are connected, the possibility of a serial offender has not been ruled out. Puerto Vallarta is a popular tourist destination, especially among American visitors, and is known for its beaches and dense jungles.

The body of the first victim was discovered on May 10 at an isolated site near Rancho El Pirulí, a famous tourist spot. Five days later, on May 15, another woman was found dead at a roadside stop beside a highway near Mismaloya. Authorities learned about the third victim on May 21 when a woman’s body was found on a dirt road near the Parque Las Palmas neighborhood.

Following the discovery of the three bodies, local police determined that the cases shared several similarities. All the victims were aged between 30 and 35. All of them had tattoos on their bodies. Additionally, everyone had been partially undressed and dumped at an isolated site around Puerto Vallarta.

Despite the similarities, police have not officially confirmed any connection between the deaths or whether the suspect is a serial killer. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and forensic evidence to determine whether there is a link between the crimes. Local police have partnered with the state prosecutor’s office to conduct the investigation.

While the investigation continues, none of the victims has been identified. According to police, no family members or friends of the first two victims have come forward to claim their bodies. As for the third victim, unofficial reports suggest she may be Elizabeth Martinez, a State of Mexico native who disappeared earlier in May.

Some of the tattoos on the victim’s body matched those of Martinez, including images of a horned woman, a skull, and a woman’s name. Police also observed marks on the woman's body that indicated signs of violence. Martinez’s family is expected to travel to Puerto Vallarta to confirm the identity.

While investigators continue to explore the possibility of a serial killer, they also believe the women may have been killed elsewhere, and their bodies later dumped near Puerto Vallarta. Notably, Mexico has seen a number of serial killers in recent years.

In 2024, bacteriological chemist Miguel Cortés Miranda was arrested on suspicion of the r— and murder of at least three young girls over a 12-year period. He was exposed while killing his final victim. Police later found human skeletal remains in his apartment. However, Miranda died before his trial in April 2025.

In 2021, Andrés Filomeno Mendoza Celis was arrested and accused of at least 19 murders. Some investigators believe he could have killed more than 30 people. Known as the Cannibal of Atizapán, Celis is currently serving his life sentence in prison.