Mexican Mayor Stoned to Death

Mexico's drug violence grows seemingly more brutal with each headline: This time, two small-town politicians were found stoned to death in Michoacan, a western state mired in the country's drug war. Mayor Gustavo Sanchez and city adviser Rafael Equihua, who served in 26,000-strong city of Tancitaro, were found in an abandoned pickup, reports the AP. Sanchez is the fifth city leader killed in the last six weeks.

Tancitaro's city council chief was killed last year, prompting the mayor and seven other officials to quit, citing threats by drug cartels. Local cops soon stopped showing up for work, prompting the entire squad to be fired, while state police and federal soldiers took over security. Sanchez had served as mayor since January. (More Mexico drug war stories.)