SONORA, Mexico, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- A Roman Catholic priest has been found shot dead in western Mexico, the third such killing in a week, authorities said.
Jose Alfredo Lopez Guillen was robbed and kidnapped last Monday in Janamuato, in the state of Michoacan. His body was found Saturday near Puruandiro, Michoacan, prosecutors said.
The bodies of two other priests were found in Veracruz the same day Guillen was kidnapped. Authorities believe the killings are related.
Investigators said Guillen had been killed five days before his body was found.
Violent crime related to the drug cartels has been on the rise in Veracruz and Michoacan. At least 31 priests have been killed in those states since 2006.
"We lament these violent acts and the insecurity in our state. We hope that authorities solve this crime," the office of Michoacan state attorney general said.
