Mexican police seek 'old lady' killer

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Police in Mexico City are hunting a serial killer who has slain at least 15 elderly women.

The BBC reports the killer now has a nickname "Mataviejitas" -- "Little Old Lady Killer."

Police are looking for a muscular woman -- or a man who dressed up as a woman -- who gained victims' trust, was let into their homes and beat and strangled them.

A witness to the death of an 85-year-old widow in September said a big woman in a red blouse left the victim's home.

Mexico City chief prosecutor, Bernardo Batiz, called the killer "brilliantly clever."

The government has started a mass-awareness campaign to alert elderly residents.