Third kidnapped priest found dead on Mexico highway

The body of a priest was found on the side of a highway in western Mexico a few days after his abduction. Fr. José Alfredo López Guillén, pastor of Janamuato in the state of Michoacan, was the third priest that was slain in Mexico in the past week.

Guillén was abducted from the rectory of his parish on Monday, Sept. 19. His car was found overturned on a nearby road. The autopsy revealed that Guillén had been killed five days before his body was found.

The priest was found dead on a highway in Las Guayabas between Puruandiro and Zinaparo last Saturday.

Guillén's abduction was not announced by the Archdiocese of Morelia until Thursday. The head of the archdiocese, Cardinal Alberto Suarez Inda, recorded a video pleading for the safe return of the priest.

The archdiocese announced Guillén's death on Sunday through social media.

"We lament these violent acts and the insecurity in our state," the statement said. "We hope that authorities solve this crime," it continued.

According to the state prosecutor's office, the priest was last seen on Monday night after he ordered four portions of food to be deliverd to his church. A secretary reported that Guillén was not seen on Tuesday and thought that the priest was just visiting relatives. Guillén's brothers were called after the priest had still not shown up by Wednesday.

The priest's room was locked and items were found scattered on the floor. Two vehicles were reported missing. No ransom demand had been received, according to the statement.

On the day of Guillén's abduction, two priests from the state of Veracruz were found dead on the side of the road.

State prosecutor Luis Angel Bravo stated that the abduction and killing of the two priests had nothing to do with drug cartels. He believes that the two priests knew the attackers and they were in a get-together that had turned violent.

Parishioners at the church still believe that the killings were committed by members of organized crime in Poza Rica. One parishioner dismissed the prosecutor's statement as a "lie" and a "cover-up."