The suspect of the serial killing in a Taoist temple on July 16 was captured in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, said local police on Sunday morning.

Qiu Xinghua, 47, was caught in his home in Foping County at 8 PM Saturday. He was accused of slaying ten people, including the abbot, five staff workers and four pilgrims in the Tiewadian Temple of Ankang City in Shaanxi.

The abbot, Xiong Wancheng, was disemboweled and his eyeballs, heart and lungs were found sliced and fried, according to a report from the Nanfang Metropolitan Daily. Beside his body there were anger-venting bloody scratches by the killer like "HE DESERVES".

Villagers called police after they saw two houses of the temple caught fire.

Police guessed that the cause of Qiu's homicide might be revenge, as no money was taken away from the victims.

The suspect had a quarrel with some staff workers in the temple when he paid pilgrimage several days before the crime, confirmed Qiu's wife.

Police posted a reward of 50,000 yuan (US$6,250) on July 26, and over 500 policemen were dispatched to search for Qiu.

Qiu has admitted his crime.

The case is now under further investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2006)