Just two weeks before the first match, a possible serial killer is at large in the Mexico World Cup host region.
Following the discovery of the bodies of three murdered women over a span of 11 days in Puerto Vallarta, all of whom shared similar traits, the Jalisco State is in the early stages of investigating the possibility of a serial killer. According to authorities, all of the woman who were killed were in their early to mid-30s, and their bodies were discovered partially stripped of their clothing and found in remote locations.
One of Mexico’s most prominent tourist spots, Puerto Vallarta is a popular vacation resort town that many Americans and Canadians may use when visiting the region for the World Cup.
Mexican authorities have been downplaying rumors of a potential serial killer while they are examining evidence, security footage, and reports pertaining to the killing of the women. Additionally, they are investigating the possibility that someone moved the women’s bodies to Puerto Vallarta after killing them somewhere else.
“At the moment, the preliminary information does not indicate that they are linked,” prosecutors told Reporte Diario.
The first World Cup match in the region is less than two weeks away
Jalisco is a host state for the World Cup. Estadio Akron, situated in Guadalajara, the state capital, about 190 miles from Puerto Vallarta, will host four matches. South Korea faces Czechia in the first match scheduled for June 11.
The U.S. State Department has recommended that Americans “reconsider traveling” to Jalisco and “do not travel” to nearby Michoacan because of safety concerns. The travel advisory states that “there is a risk of violence in the state from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations” and that “U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents have been victims of kidnapping.”
Authorities report that more than 130,000 people are currently missing in Mexico, with Guadalajara, where the World Cup matches will take place, at the epicenter of the problem.