Mexican police suspect that heads burned in ritual

Mexican police suspect that heads burned in ritual

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The heads of 11 decapitated bodies discovered in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula last week may have been burned in a ritual, investigators said.

Police said they found an altar to the skeletal figure of the “Santa Muerte,” an unofficial patron saint of death, in the home of two men arrested in connection with the slayings, while several scorched spots were discovered in a nearby clearing.

Police suspect the heads were burned in the clearing, according to a statement from the Public Safety Department. The department did not say what evidence it had to support that theory. Public Safety officials declined to give further details Monday, citing an ongoing investigation.

Decapitations have become more frequent in battles between Mexico’s powerful drug cartels.
[...]

The Santa Muerte is one of several unofficial folk saints worshipped in Mexico. The cult has become popular among criminals in Mexico who appeal to the “saint” — not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church — to stay safe and out of jail. Law-abiding worshippers simply seek favors or intercession.

But Santa Muerte rituals normally do not include blood sacrifice.

If police suspicions about the ritual burning prove true, it would recall the 1989 killing of a Texas college student and 12 other people by a drug trafficking cult.

Student Mark Kilroy’s mutilated body was unearthed a month after the 21-year-old vanished while on spring break in Matamoros, a border town across from Brownsville, Texas. The cult believed human sacrifice would protect it from police and rivals. Its high priestess and four of her followers were sentenced to more than 60 years in prison in 1994.

Bookmark, Share, or Email This Page

Comment

Read Another Article

Katie Holmes to face anti-Scientology protestors
Muslim radiographer loses job after refusing to bare her arms

Related News Articles Topic(s): Santa Muerte Related Tags / Keywords: Mexico • Ritual Killing • Santa Muerte You Might Like These Articles As Well The cult of Santa Muerte making inroads in the US Arrests made following three human sacrifices by Santa Muerte devotees Missionary Couple Slain in Mexico; Peace Pact in Puebla Christians in Mexico forced from village; threatened with crucifixion or lynching Rival Santa Muerte church claims captured ‘bishop’ does not represent the Mexican death cult Mexico arrests leader of “Saint Death” cult Albino girl, 11, killed and beheaded in Swaziland ’for witchcraft’ Witch-doctors reveal extent of child sacrifice in Uganda ‘Traditionalist Catholics’ Attack, Expel Christians in Mexico Mexico destroys ‘Death Saint’ revered by criminals Subscribe to Religion News Blog updates Subscribe to Religion News Blog [What is this?] Get Religion News Blog's headline by Email [What is this?] Follow Religion News Blog at Twitter Find Related Religion & Spirituality Books at Amazon.com Santa Muerte

Search Religion News Blog