Police say Hugo Castellano’s killing was targeted. Picture: Miss Mexico Organization/Facebook.

A state official in Sinaloa who was not authorised to be quoted by name said that armed men stopped Hugo Castellanos in a vehicle he was travelling in and kidnapped him.

They apparently let his companions go and then killed him.

Castellanos’ body was found on Sunday in a stolen vehicle, along with cash and documents, in the Sinaloa state capital of Culiacan.

A tribute to Hugo Castellanos. Picture: Miss Mexico Organization/Facebook.Source:Supplied

The area is known for its drug trade and drug capos have been known to bribe or pressure pageants to award titles to their girlfriends.

Prosecutors are investigating possible motives, and the official said they have not ruled out the idea of a link between the killing and the pageant business.

According to local media, Castellanos had attended a Miss Sinaloa pageant before he was kidnapped and killed.

A post on the Miss Mexico Organization pays tribute to their “beloved leader and friend” alongside a picture of the pageant head.

Hugo Castellanos crowning Miss Sinaloa. Local media report he was kidnapped and killed hours after the pageant. Picture: Miss Mexico Organization/Facebook.Source:Supplied

“There are no words to describe the feeling that as a team we have and the pain that causes us (to) know that a person with many dreams, youth, goals and live projects will have to go. Hugo, we love you and thank you for all the beautiful moments we have lived. We will continue working to fulfil your dreams.”

And in southern Mexico, meanwhile, prosecutors said five men died late Monday in a hail of bullets outside a bar near the Guerrero state capital of Chilpancingo.

A total of 123 shell casings from assault rifles were found at the scene of the shootings.

Prosecutors said the motive in the attack is still under investigation.

The area is known for drug violence and the cultivation of opium poppies.