Violence surge continues
By Manuel C. Coppola and Cesar Barron
Published Tuesday, January 5, 2010 9:33 AM MST

The wave of violence in Nogales, Sonora, continued as three bodies were discovered on Monday, the apparent victims of strangulation, according to state police

Police and witnesses gather outside the Economax grocery store on Calle Ruiz Cortinez, where shooting occurred about two miles from the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry. Photos / Cesar Barron, Radio XENY
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The first case was reported at about 5:10 a.m. when two bodies were found in the Chula Vista neighborhood on the south side of the city.

As of press time, their identities had not been released.

One victim wore a sweat shirt but was naked from the waist down, while the other was fully clothed. Medical examiners determined the cause of death was asphyxiation by choking, officials said.

An hour later, another victim was found on Narcizo Mendoza Street in the downtown area, about a mile from the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry. The woman’s name was not released, but neighbors said they knew her nickname as “La Chapis.â€