Officials in a well-known tourist destination are looking into whether the deaths of three women could be connected — raising concerns about a possible serial offender.
Puerto Vallarta, a Mexican beach resort popular with US travelers, is widely visited for its coastline, nightlife and water-based activities.
Estimates suggest millions of people travel to Puerto Vallarta each year, with Americans accounting for a large share of overseas visitors.
But the area has recently been shaken by a series of deaths, after three women — all reported to be in their mid-30s — were found dead this month.
According to reports, the first woman was found by police near Rancho El Pirulí in the Chimborazo area on May 10. A second body was then discovered days later at a roadside stop along a highway.
More recently, authorities located a third body on a dirt road in the Parque Las Palmas neighborhood.
Mexico News Daily reported that the latest victim showed signs of violence and had tattoos on her neck, hand and arm.
The markings reportedly included a name that could help identify her, along with other designs described as a skull and a horned woman.
Local officials said the women were found partially undressed.
Investigators are now working to determine whether the three cases are linked, amid fears that one person could be responsible.
Police are also examining whether the women may have been killed elsewhere and later moved to Puerto Vallarta.
The investigation comes after a period of unrest earlier this year, when violence in the region left some travelers struggling to leave the resort.
Adryan Moorefield, from Dallas, told CNN he had been vacationing in Puerto Vallarta at the time and described the experience of trying to get home.
“It was such a complete shocker, and it almost felt like being in the twilight zone,” he told the outlet. “We’ve been to PV before and thought that this would be a no brainer place to come and do a quick, easy beach vacation.”
Other US tourists were also left stranded during the disruption.