The leader of the Mexican folk cult “La Santa Muerte” is killed

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A local leader of the Mexican folk saint cult “La Santa Muerte” was shot dead at a shrine to the skeletal figure Friday night, authorities said.

Two other people were killed and eight wounded in the attack in the city of Leon in Guanajuato state, authorities added.

the saint – whose name roughly means “Holy Death” — is often worshiped by convicts, drug addicts and criminals, along with other people who feel left out or are facing difficulties in life.

The saint, who is not recognized by the Roman Catholic church, is usually depicted as a female skeleton and is supposed to protect her followers from death.

But that didn’t work for “La Madrina Chayo,” a woman considered a cult leader in the north-central state of Guanajuato.

Prosecutors have not released her real name, in accordance with Mexican law, but the nickname “La Madrina Chayo” was used by a faith healer also known as “Chayito.”

She, another woman and a boy were shot Friday as they prepared for the annual Santa Muerte celebration.

There was no immediate word on the condition of the eight people, including two children, who were wounded in the shooting attack at the street corner shrine.

Like Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration, Santa Muerte is honored on November 1st and 2nd.

Roman Catholic leaders in Mexico have condemned the deity’s connection to violence and the illicit drug trade.

Dressed in a black nun’s robe and holding a scythe in one hand, Santa Muerte appeals to people seeking all kinds of otherworldly help: from defending wrongdoers and getting revenge to stopping lovers from cheating and getting better jobs. Others seek her protection for their drug shipments and to ward off law enforcement.

While the cult may sound ominous, the annual celebrations honoring Santa Muerte are friendly affairs, with people warmly greeting fellow worshipers and giving them small gifts.

For years, Guanajuato had the highest number of homicides of any state in Mexico due to ongoing turf battles between rival drug cartels.