There are fears a serial killer could be on the loose in a popular tourist hotspot after three women were horrifically murdered in the area in less than two weeks. The bodies of three murdered women have been discovered in Mexico’s famous Puerto Vallarta over the last fortnight, plunging the town into chaos.The first female victim of the murder spree was discovered near a famous viewpoint, Rancho El Piruli, in Chimborazo, on May 10. Just five days after the grisly find, a second victim’s body was found at a roadside stop along a highway. The most recent body was discovered last week, cruelly left on a dirt road in the Parque Las Palmas neighbourhood.Now, investigators are working around the clock to review the surveillance footage, forensic evidence and police reports to determine whether the killings are connected and if the town could have a serial killer on the loose, according to Mexico News Daily.There are also reportedly striking similarities between the women, who were all aged in their twenties and thirties, all having tattoos on their bodies, and who were all found in a state of undress. Each body was discovered in more isolated or less travelled parts of the town, which has only intensified speculation that the killings might be following a certain pattern. While the victims have not been formally identified, local, unconfirmed news reports have suggested that the latest woman could be missing 22-year-old Elizabeth Martinez, from the State of Mexico, who vanished without a trace in late April. According to local newspapers, the victim had tattoos on her neck, hand and arm, including images of a skull, a horned woman and a name on her forearm.Her body also allegedly showed signs of violence, leading police to open an investigation under homicide and femicide protocols.Fierce rumours of whether a serial killer could be operating in the area has set fear into the hearts of both residents and tourists alike in the picturesque holiday destination.It comes months after the town was brought to its knees by an explosion of cartel violence, with members of the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) wreaking havoc.The group burnt buses and looted shops in revenge for the death of their leader, El Mencho, in a military operation back in February 2026. At the time, he was the most wanted person in Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is a popular resort town that attracts an influx of tourists from all over the world each year, thanks to its stunning natural landscape, gorgeous beaches and sunny weather. The town welcomes over 6.26 million visitors each year, according to the Mexican Secretary of Tourism, with most coming from the United States. As Mexico gears up to jointly host the World Cup, there are fears swirling over the safety of tourists in the area. Nearly 100,000 police, soldiers, and guards will be deployed to protect fans when the tournament kicks off on June 11.Games will be hosted in three stadiums across the country, with one in Mexico City, one in Monterrey, and one in Guadalajara.Officials say the massive deployment will cover stadiums, fan zones, airports and transport hubs when the tournament arrives.Paul Tumpowsky, chief revenue officer for Fora Travel, told the New York Postthat travellers 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 said.