Map shows where bodies of three women with disturbing similarities were found as serial killer fears grow

Fears are growing in a popular holiday hotspot about the possibility of a serial killer after three women were murdered in similar circumstances.

Despite the horrific crimes that they often commit, and the heartbroken families and friends that are left behind, there has always been a strange fascination with serial killers across the globe.

Whether it be the measured psychopath Ted Bundy or the violent crimes of John Wayne Gacy, the names of history's most malignant murderers will sadly never be forgotten.

Although it hasn't yet been confirmed by officials in Mexico, locals in Puerto Vallarta are now concerned that their city could be the home of another name on the serial killer's list.

And it's not without reason, as the bodies of three women have been discovered in the vicinity of the beach resort city in recent weeks, with all three sharing a lot of similarities.

Police have described the victims as tattooed women in their early to mid 30s, with them also being partially undressed, severely injured and dumped in isolated areas.

Where the three bodies were found (Mexico News Daily)

After another woman's body was discovered near a dirt road last Thursday (21 May), a map from officials has now highlighted the close vicinity in which all three victims' bodies were found.

Detectives and forensic teams are still investigating to see whether an individual person might be responsible for all three deaths, although it must be said that the area has been blighted by violence in recent months, with mayor Luis Munguía, condemning the murders and proposing plans to bring in 80 new police officers.

The investigators have been appealing for more information that might help their investigation, having noted that 'these efforts will allow us to establish whether or not there is any relationship between the cases'.

"At the moment, the preliminary information does not indicate that they are linked," they said in a statement.

The bodies of three women have been found in the city (Alfredo ESTRELLA / AFP via Getty Images)

It is difficult to ignore the pattern of the killings and the niche demographic that are being targeted, but given the crimes committed by cartel members in the area in recent months, it would also be foolish to suggest that it is definitely the work of a serial killer.

US resident Katy Holloman told the New York Post she was stuck in Puerto Vallarta as she said: “We were told to shelter in place right now, we need to stay in the hotel, it was safer here, but it is not safe to travel to the airport.

"The road is closed due to the cartel. There’s no flights going out of the airport to the States. We’ve rescheduled them for tomorrow afternoon, really hoping we make it home.

“Just going to pray we make it home tomorrow. This is unprecedented here, the hotel staff have been saying this has never happened before."