Buenos Aires, Sep 1 (IANS/EFE) A 22-year-old Argentine man said he killed six people because he made a pact with ‘Saint Death’ in exchange for ‘protection and prosperity’, police said.

Witnesses said the unidentified suspect became a serial killer to keep the promise he made to a popular pagan saint also known as ‘San La Muerte’, who is venerated in jails and among criminal gangs.

The man is accused of having slain six men this year over a period of four months.

‘One witness gave us the details of the pact (of the prisoner) with San La Muerte,’ a police spokesman said.

‘We’re studying a total of about 10 cases. In some cases we have already obtained positive photographic recognition,’ another police official said.