OAN Staff Jenna Lee
4:38 PM – Wednesday, May 27, 2026
The bodies of three murdered women were found in various parts of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, prompting concerns of a serial killer evading capture in the popular tourist destination. The women, who appeared to be between 30 and 35 years old were found partially naked over the span of just 11 days in the city.
“All lines of investigation are being exhausted to find the persons or persons responsible,” vowed Mexican officials, who remain tight-lipped on the status of the investigations.
The first woman was found dead on May 10th near Rancho El Piruli, a well-known viewpoint, with the second woman being discovered just five days later along the highway to Mismaloya, south of Puerto Vallarta. The third woman was found on May 21st in the Parque Las Palmas neighborhood.
While investigators have not officially confirmed the identities of the three women or established a definitive link between their cases, the discovery of their bodies in isolated, lightly traveled areas of Puerto Vallarta has fueled intense public speculation regarding a potential serial killer.
Nonetheless, local authorities have downplayed this theory, with the Mexican outlet Reporte Diario reporting that preliminary information does not currently indicate the cases are connected. However, signs of foul play are evident. Notably, the third woman’s body bore distinct marks of violence, including a bruise on her left eyebrow.
Investigators suspect she may be 22-year-old Elizabeth Martinez, a resident of the State of Mexico who went missing in late April, though official identification is still pending.
These tragic discoveries exemplify a devastating and pervasive crisis across the country. According to data from the Human Rights Research Center, an average of ten women and girls are killed every day in Mexico, where femicide remains a deeply entrenched systemic issue.
This latest spike in violence also follows months of heightened unrest in Puerto Vallarta linked to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), though officials have not yet confirmed if these specific homicides are tied to cartel activity.
In response to the ongoing security situation, the U.S. State Department has maintained a Level 3 Travel Advisory for the State of Jalisco, urging American citizens to “Reconsider Travel” due to the high risks of violent crime and kidnapping.
Chief Revenue Officer for Fora Travel Paul Tumpowsky said that travelers should maintain a “heightened sense of awareness, not to the point of ruining your vacation, but being smart … This is a time to think about and plan a little bit more about what’s the appropriate amount of risk you’re willing to take,” he added.
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