MEXICO CITY – María Santos Gorrostieta Salazar, the former mayor of the western Mexican town of Tiquicheo, was fatally shot by unknown gunmen, according to the Michoacán State Attorney General’s Office.

Gorrostieta Salazar, who had survived two assassination attempts on her life during the past three years, was reported missing on Nov. 14 by family members, who told authorities she hadn’t been seen since Nov. 12.

Gorrostieta Salazar, 36, was the mayor of Tiquicheo from 2008 to earlier this year. Tiquicheo is home to several gangs, including La Familia Michoacana, which are engaged in a turf war for control of the area’s lucrative smuggling routes.

In October 2009, Gorrostieta Salazar was injured during an assassination attempt that took the life of her husband, José Sánchez, who also had been mayor of Tiquicheo.

Gorrostieta Salazar’s body was identified by family members after it was found on a road in the town of San Juan Tararameo in the municipality of Cuitzeo on Nov. 16, according to the Michoacán State Attorney General’s Office.

Authorities don’t have any suspects in custody but they said the murder was likely committed by an organized crime group.

[EFE (Mexico), 17/11/2012; Excelsior (Mexico), 17/11/2012; La Razón (Bolivia), 18/11/2012]