Chennai: Fears of a serial 'psychopath' killer stalking the busy Vadapalani and Ashok Nagar areas following 'mysterious' deaths in the recent weeks, were heightened on Thursday after yet another death was reported from the nearby colony.

Police said the body of an unidentified youth, which was found at Ayyappa Nagar in Koyambedu area, sparked off fresh fears that he may have been killed by the 'psychopath', who was blamed for seven mysterious deaths that took place in these areas during the past few weeks.

However, police said the death of the youth on Thursday is due to a road accident and he might have been killed after being hit by a speeding vehicle.

During the past few weeks two persons were found dead with their heads smashed while bodies of others were found half burnt leading to suspicion that they might have been killed by the 'psychopath', whose identity has not yet been established by police.

Incidentally, all the deaths had occurred in the busy Vadapalani and its nearby upmarket Ashok Nagar, resulting in sleepless nights for the locals. The dead included security guards of apartment complexes and a rag picker.

Following the incidents, people from these areas joined police patrols to keep a vigil in the night and search the 'elusive pscyhcopath'.

A few days ago residents attacked a man, later identified as a history-sheeter, suspecting him to be the 'psychopath', after he was found behaving in a suspicious manner. He was later rescued by police.