A 24-year-old restaurant worker was tortured and killed by three Satanists recently during a ritual to turn him into a vampire in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Police identified the victim as Edwin Juarez Palma, who died of strangulation and a slash on his neck. Palma was said to have been led to an initiation rite to be a member of the cult Sons of Baphomet.
Arrested on suspicion of homicide were Omar "Osiris" Sanchez Garcia, 25, and Gustavo Adolfo Dorantes Dorantes and Iveth Nayeli López Hernández, both 18.
"This crime took place during an initiation ceremony led by a satanic sect called Sons of Baphomet 1 during which the victim was supposed to become a vampire. All that's left now to do is to arrest the leader of the sect whose name we have," said Police chief Pablo Rocha, according to the Daily Mail.
The alleged ringleader of the cult, Calep Josefath Acosta Loera, was arrested later by Chihuahua state police.
Palma's body was found wrapped in black plastic bag on a street in Chihuahua.
He was tortured and killed with the belief that he could return to his former life as a vampire, according to Christian New Network.
Palma is believed to have been murdered in the restroom of a cafe where he worked.
The suspects reportedly used bleach to clean the scene of the crime.
After the funeral, Palma's sister Alicia posted on social media to tell friends and family not to "be sad."
"I know it hurts that he's no longer with us. He's my brother and we are his family and it hurts us more than anyone. But we have something that comforts us. He always had words for us when we felt down, words of encouragement," she wrote.
She added, "I know as his sister that he wouldn't have wanted us to be sad about his departure.''
The staff at Cafe 340 where he worked put a black ribbon on the facade as a sign of respect.
"He was an honest person who always tried to keep out of trouble. His interest in vampires was a hobby and nothing more," the staff said.
