10-20 skulls found in New Mexico, at least one tied to missing person's case *NO LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE*

https://www.ktsm.com/news/investigation-underway-after-over-a-dozen-human-skulls-found-in-eastern-new-mexico/?nxsparam=3

Investigation underway after over a dozen human skulls found in Eastern New Mexico​

The Lea County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation in Jal, New Mexico after suspected human remains were discovered.

A press release from Tuesday said the human remains may be linked to a missing persons case from 2019. The case is being closely tied to the 2019 disappearance of Angela McManes, whose last known residence was near the property under investigation.

After a comprehensive search, evidence of 10-20 human skulls was located along with portions of skull and jawbone, LCSO said


See below for the full press release:

The Lea County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation in Jal, New Mexico, following the discovery of suspected human remains that may be linked to a missing persons case from 2019.

On November 5, 2024, an investigator with the Lea County Sheriff’s Office received a report involving a Jal resident who had an unsettling encounter with Cecil Villanueva while offering him a ride. He reported that Villanueva, carrying two bags, made alarming statements and discarded objects from the vehicle, some of which appeared to be human bones. Subsequent searches near a convenience store and Villanueva’s reported location revealed bone fragments later confirmed by a pathologist to be human.

Villanueva had been staying at a property on South 4th Street, associated with rumors of human remains.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the site on November 6, 2024, uncovering additional bone fragments, including portions of a skull and jawbone. These findings prompted collaboration with forensic experts.

On November 9, 2024, a forensic anthropologist and a team of investigators conducted a comprehensive search, discovering evidence of 10–20 human skulls. The remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque for further analysis and potential identification.

The case is being closely tied to the 2019 disappearance of Angela McManes, whose last known residence was near the property under investigation. Authorities are working diligently to determine the connection between the remains and McManes, as well as other possible victims.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lea County Sheriff’s Office at 575-396-3611 or Lea County Crimestoppers at 575-393-8005.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Parts of human skulls and other remains found in New Mexico in case tied to missing woman

Angela McManes went missing in 2019 and last lived near the property that is under investigation, the Lea County Sheriff's Office said.

www.nbcnews.com

Parts of human skulls and other remains found in New Mexico in case tied to missing woman​

Authorities are investigating the discovery of human remains, including parts of skulls, in Jal, New Mexico, that could be linked to a missing persons case from 2019.

The Lea County Sheriff's Office said in a release Tuesday that the office was contacted on Nov. 5 by a resident of the city who had an "unsettling encounter" with a man while offering him a ride.

The resident said the man was "carrying two bags, made alarming statements and discarded objects from the vehicle, some of which appeared to be human bones," according to the sheriff's office.

A search of the area, including a convenience store and the man's reported location, turned up bone fragments, the office said. A pathologist later confirmed those bone fragments were from humans.

The man had been living at a property that sheriff's officials said was "associated with rumors of human remains." Officials found more bone fragments when they searched the property the following day, the sheriff's office said.

On Saturday, another search turned up "evidence of 10–20 human skulls," the office said. Officials clarified Wednesday that this was not 10 to 20 "intact, fully together skulls," rather pieces of skull bones that may be from an estimated 10 to 20 people, NBC News affiliate KOB of Albuquerque reported.

The remains are now being analyzed for potential identification.

The sheriff's office said the case is being "closely tied" to the case of Angela McManes, who disappeared in 2019. Officials said McManes' last known residence was "near the property under investigation."

"Authorities are working diligently to determine the connection between the remains and McManes, as well as other possible victims," the statement said.

"I know our viewers are concerned, but I can tell you, we don’t have a serial killer walking around," Sheriff Corey Helton told KOB.

The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether any charges have been filed. Helton said the man is in jail on an unrelated charge, KOB reported.

According to the outlet, the man said someone purchased the skulls from an online source. Officials are working with an anthropologist to determine if that is true, KOB reported.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Police: No serial killer walking around after skull discovery

Investigators found evidence from 10 to 20 human skulls at a property near in far southeast New Mexico.

www.kob.com

Police: No serial killer walking around after skull discovery​

Investigators found evidence from 10 to 20 human skulls at a property near in far southeast New Mexico.

Lea County Sheriff Corey Hilton says his team sent those skull fragments off to be analyzed. While one person connected to this case is behind bars, the sheriff wants the community to be patient, and wait for the truth to be revealed.

“It could be a day, it could be a week, it could be several months,” said Hilton. “We’ll just wait till they give us a word of what they found. I know our viewers are concerned, but I can tell you, we don’t have a serial killer walking around.”

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators discovered bone fragments, including portions of a skull and jawbone, while investigating a property in early November.

Fragments is the key word.

“We’re not talking about 10 or 20 intact, fully together skulls. These are pieces, pieces of who the forensic anthropologist is estimating between 10 and 20 people,” said Lea County Sheriff Corey Hilton.

Hilton says the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque is analyzing the evidence. They’re working to potentially identify any victims, and to see if one of them is Angela McManes who was last seen in 2019 near the property.

“That’s our focus, is her whereabouts. Investigators have worked tirelessly on this. We follow leads out of state and state, and we will not leave one rock unturned until we get an answer,” said Hilton.

While there are no active suspects, 28-year-old Cecil Villaneuva, is at the center of this case.

He was reportedly staying at the property where the skulls were found when a driver who gave Villanueva a ride reported him for making alarming statements, and throwing what appeared to be human bones out a car window.

“Numerous people in Jal and including the police department known this guy possessed human bones,” Hilton said.

But that’s not enough to make him a suspect in this case.

“One of my chief deputies looked it up online, and you can buy bones offline, skulls offline,” said Hilton.

The sheriff says that means he has to wait until medical investigators finish their job.

“We’re really speaking blindly until we get their report,” said Hilton.

Hilton confirmed Villaneuva is behind bars for an unrelated charge to this case.

While his office is still waiting for that OMI report, he is asking anyone with information about this case, or any other missing people they don’t know about, to give the Lea County Sheriff’s Office a call.

 

[GrandmaBear]

And how in the he77 can they say there is no serial killer walking around with this little of information and this many parts of various people?

SMDH.

Normally wouldn't look but it sounded pretty big so I did. They don't KNOW that unless they know the one incarcerated is the one responsible for ALL of the remains and they don't KNOW that. He's not walking around but they don't know he is the one responsible for all.

How DUMB do they think people are that that statement can be trusted?

 

[Guess Who]

"We don't have a serial killer waking around"

Is that because he's behind bars?
If somebody bought these skulls, why would they be fragmented and why would he be tossing them out the window?

 

[Tresir]

"We don't have a serial killer waking around"

Is that because he's behind bars?
If somebody bought these skulls, why would they be fragmented and why would he be tossing them out the window?

It seems to me he could have either bought them, dug them up himself or have killed them himself. First, it is news to me you can even buy human remains online. Anyone ever seen them advertised? Second, someone is missing in the area anyway, so what happened to her? Third, is there a thread for her? If not, i guess we need one.

 

[Guess Who]

It seems to me he could have either bought them, dug them up himself or have killed them himself. First, it is news to me you can even buy human remains online. Anyone ever seen them advertised? Second, someone is missing in the area anyway, so what happened to her? Third, is there a thread for her? If not, i guess we need one.

But you wouldn't buy bits and pieces of 10-12 skulls and if you bought 10-12 skulls, why would you smash them up? Why would you be throwing pieces out of the car window if you bought them, too?

 

[Tresir]

These are links about the missing woman in case some of the bits belong to her.


https://kitkaboodleandfamily.blogspot.com/2021/01/missing-angela-kelton-mcmanes.html

Sheriff to help with search for missing Jal woman - Hobbs News Sun

Jal woman missing since May 13 - Hobbs News Sun

Angela LaDawn Kelton-McManes – The Charley Project

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/authorities-search-for-missing-woman-from-jal-nm/

 

[Tresir]

But you wouldn't buy bits and pieces of 10-12 skulls and if you bought 10-12 skulls, why would you smash them up? Why would you be throwing pieces out of the car window if you bought them, too?

No you're right, i wouldn't, but who knows with this guy. Maybe he was finished with them and was spring cleaning. The report says he is in jail for something else but they don't say what that is. It clearly is not illegal to throw bits of human remains around in NM.

They also found stuff at the property he was staying at too. And this property was rumoured to be connected with human remains. Property is at South 4th Street, Jal, New Mexico.

Just noticed, the missing woman was only 4' 11".

 

[RoundPeg]

I remembered this from 2023. These people were selling remains. Just saying.

Kentucky man found with 40 skulls in home, allegedly linked to Harvard morgue thefts

FBI agents searched the home of James Nott on Tuesday and found 40 human skulls, spinal cords, femurs, hip bones and a Harvard Medical School bag, according to court records.

www.wbur.org

 

[Tresir]

I remembered this from 2023. These people were selling remains. Just saying.

Kentucky man found with 40 skulls in home, allegedly linked to Harvard morgue thefts

FBI agents searched the home of James Nott on Tuesday and found 40 human skulls, spinal cords, femurs, hip bones and a Harvard Medical School bag, according to court records.

www.wbur.org

This is disgusting.

This is what he said when asked if he was alone in the house.

"When asked if anyone else was home during the search, Nott allegedly replied "only my dead friends."

I was wondering if they had raided a cemetery, but a morgue is even worse.

 

[Guess Who]

I remembered this from 2023. These people were selling remains. Just saying.

Kentucky man found with 40 skulls in home, allegedly linked to Harvard morgue thefts

FBI agents searched the home of James Nott on Tuesday and found 40 human skulls, spinal cords, femurs, hip bones and a Harvard Medical School bag, according to court records.

www.wbur.org

I've also seen where people were investigated for trying to sell human bones through Craigslist and similar.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It seems to me he could have either bought them, dug them up himself or have killed them himself. First, it is news to me you can even buy human remains online. Anyone ever seen them advertised? Second, someone is missing in the area anyway, so what happened to her? Third, is there a thread for her? If not, i guess we need one.

Some know more about this kind of stuff than we do I'd dare say. We each have out types of cases. Not my type. Only came in because it could answer for a lot of missing people. I myself have never seen such advertised and if I did, I'd report it especially since if it was on some normal selling site and I just ran into such, I'd be shocked.

Doubtful there's a thread for her. But who knows.

 

[GrandmaBear]

"We don't have a serial killer waking around"

Is that because he's behind bars?
If somebody bought these skulls, why would they be fragmented and why would he be tossing them out the window?

They can't know the person responsible for all is behind bars as there's been no time to determine even who they all are or what happened.

Either they think they know in which case later an accused perp's D lawyers are going to say you never looked at anyone else, you focused on my client from the start or they are doing the standard b.s. (far more likely) of oh we know the community will be shocked and scared,10 to 20 skulls found (hell that's vague but is the thread title here) but give the company line of trying to calm the community that nope, no serial killer here whent they can't POSSIBLY know yet for certain.

They can have a good idea but they can't know and if they claim they do or get focused on one suspect too early, then watch out for the D down the road these days.

They are most likely trying to calm the community. There was no SK on Long Island either. LOL.

 

[GrandmaBear]

But you wouldn't buy bits and pieces of 10-12 skulls and if you bought 10-12 skulls, why would you smash them up? Why would you be throwing pieces out of the car window if you bought them, too?

I don't know where the thought of him buying sh*t even came from. But the thread title says 10 to 20 skulls so is it 10 to 12 or 10 to 20?

 

[GrandmaBear]

No you're right, i wouldn't, but who knows with this guy. Maybe he was finished with them and was spring cleaning. The report says he is in jail for something else but they don't say what that is. It clearly is not illegal to throw bits of human remains around in NM.

They also found stuff at the property he was staying at too. And this property was rumoured to be connected with human remains. Property is at South 4th Street, Jal, New Mexico.

Just noticed, the missing woman was only 4' 11".

I have no doubt you woudn't, nor would I lol.

I have the impression there was talk of remains there from people and LE knew of such talk but I'm guessing it took some doing to finally get a warrant... Just hearsay isn't going to be enough. And it was probably due to it being about this particular missing woman. Haven't had a lot of time to look and focus but the bit I read yesterday, that's the impression I have.

not even sure why people are talking about BUYING remains. I guess that is safer and makes it not an SK then but totally possible I missed something that points to a reason to hink he was buying bones, parts or remains. I must have missed something because I know of no reason to have went to that thought.

 

[GrandmaBear]

This is disgusting.

This is what he said when asked if he was alone in the house.

"When asked if anyone else was home during the search, Nott allegedly replied "only my dead friends."

I was wondering if they had raided a cemetery, but a morgue is even worse.

Agree. Very disgusting.

Not my cup of tea this macabre stuff. Not that I don't know it goes on. My only interest is if there is an SK and how many missing might end up accounted for. Can you fill me in on the reason this has went to thinking bones and parts were purchased, that were found there? Been a bit of a week and I must have missed the leap to that.

 

[Tresir]

Agree. Very disgusting.

Not my cup of tea this macabre stuff. Not that I don't know it goes on. My only interest is if there is an SK and how many missing might end up accounted for. Can you fill me in on the reason this has went to thinking bones and parts were purchased, that were found there? Been a bit of a week and I must have missed the leap to that.

No i dont know why it is thought the remains were purchased, but see below. The missing woman is from the same area, so i guess they are going to check these skulls and see if one is hers. It seems it is possible from these comments in the initial post.

"The case is being closely tied to the 2019 disappearance of Angela McManes, whose last known residence was near the property under investigation. Authorities are working diligently to determine the connection between the remains and McManes, as well as other possible victims."

"According to the outlet, the man said someone purchased the skulls from an online source. Officials are working with an anthropologist to determine if that is true, KOB reported."

 

[Kimster]

And how in the he77 can they say there is no serial killer walking around with this little of information and this many parts of various people?

SMDH.

Normally wouldn't look but it sounded pretty big so I did. They don't KNOW that unless they know the one incarcerated is the one responsible for ALL of the remains and they don't KNOW that. He's not walking around but they don't know he is the one responsible for all.

How DUMB do they think people are that that statement can be trusted?

I know at least two other cases where they said that killings weren’t connected and then later on they were connected. So I agree with you. Little early to be saying there’s no serial killer involved.

 

[GrandmaBear]

No i dont know why it is thought the remains were purchased, but see below. The missing woman is from the same area, so i guess they are going to check these skulls and see if one is hers. It seems it is possible from these comments in the initial post.

"The case is being closely tied to the 2019 disappearance of Angela McManes, whose last known residence was near the property under investigation. Authorities are working diligently to determine the connection between the remains and McManes, as well as other possible victims."

"According to the outlet, the man said someone purchased the skulls from an online source. Officials are working with an anthropologist to determine if that is true, KOB reported."

Yeah, I did see that in first reading this, and that's what I figured, there is real basis to figure it is tied to a real missing woman, etc. Then I get back to this and it's all about purchased bones and remains and don't know where that started or is coming from? Figured I missed some reason that is being talked of or thought?

Even if there are types that have done such, why is it being thought of here?

Seems like a huge leap unless I missed something.

Thanks for the answer. I did pick up on from the beginning there is a REAL case of someone it is maybe tied to for a victim and so I see no reason to think the rest of things found were purchased? Seems pretty out there to me unless I missed something which I may have.