Skeleton, Santa Muerte altar found at alleged kidnapping site in Juárez

by Daniel Borunda \ El Paso Times
Posted: 07/15/2011 12:00:00 AM MDT

A skeleton dressed as a bride was part of an altar to the Santa Muerte found in a Juárez house used to hold kidnapping victims, authorities said Thursday.

Chihuahua state police on Wednesday arrested a 14-year-old boy and Andrés Sánchez Balderas, 45, while they were allegedly attempting to collect ransom for a 50-year-old businessman.

Officials said that the victim had been rescued July 7 but that the kidnappers were trying to collect more money.

Anti-kidnapping agents went to the kidnappers' safe house in the 7400 block of Joaquin Castellanos street, where they found the altar with the skeleton bride, at least two skulls and many cigarette packs that were apparently offerings.

"In the safe house were found skeletons and skulls apparently used for some type of death cult or the practice of a satanic ritual," authorities said in a news release.

Police are searching for three men connected to the "Cochi" kidnapping ring, which is allegedly responsible for seven other recent abductions.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_18481956