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.

 

[GrandmaBear]

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.

Right? It's the standard line really isn't it? We've seen it many a time over decades even. There is no serial killer, no serial rapist, etc. and it ends up there is.

Or just in any case of a murder where they try to say the public is safe, it is not some random killer yet they don't know who it is....

It's a standard line and it's b.s.

 

[Tresir]

This article seems to have a bit more info but in this account, the guy has not been arrested.

Up to 20 human skulls linked to missing woman after man 'threw bones from car'

A man allegedly flung human bones from a car, leading cops to discover as many as 20 skulls that have been linked to the cold case of a woman missing five years ago.

The grisly finding was made when a resident of Jal, New Mexico, told cops he had a ‘an unsettling encounter’ with a Cecil Villanueva, a man he offered a ride to.

Villanueva was ‘carrying two bags, made alarming statements and discarded objects from the vehicle, some of which appeared to be human bones’, stated the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook on Tuesday.

Authorities recovered the fragments from near a convenience store and close to where Villanueva was, and a pathologist determined that they belonged to humans.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has not said if Cecil Villanueva was arrested (Picture: Lea County Sheriff’s Office)
Villanueva was staying at a home on South 4th Street where human remains were rumored to have been found.

On November 6, detectives executed a search warrant and found more bone pieces including parts of a skull and a jawbone.

Three days later, in collaboration with a forensic anthropologist, investigators uncovered 10 to 20 human skulls during a thorough search of the property.

The pieces were sent to the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque for examination and possible identification.

Angela McManes was last seen in 2019 near the property where the human skulls and fragments were found Picture: Lea County Sheriff’s Office)
Some of the fragments are believed to possibly belong to Angela McManes, who vanished in 2019 and was last seen near the property, according to authorities.

 

[GrandmaBear]

This article seems to have a bit more info but in this account, the guy has not been arrested.

Up to 20 human skulls linked to missing woman after man 'threw bones from car'

A man allegedly flung human bones from a car, leading cops to discover as many as 20 skulls that have been linked to the cold case of a woman missing five years ago.

The grisly finding was made when a resident of Jal, New Mexico, told cops he had a ‘an unsettling encounter’ with a Cecil Villanueva, a man he offered a ride to.

Villanueva was ‘carrying two bags, made alarming statements and discarded objects from the vehicle, some of which appeared to be human bones’, stated the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook on Tuesday.

Authorities recovered the fragments from near a convenience store and close to where Villanueva was, and a pathologist determined that they belonged to humans.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has not said if Cecil Villanueva was arrested (Picture: Lea County Sheriff’s Office)
Villanueva was staying at a home on South 4th Street where human remains were rumored to have been found.

On November 6, detectives executed a search warrant and found more bone pieces including parts of a skull and a jawbone.

Three days later, in collaboration with a forensic anthropologist, investigators uncovered 10 to 20 human skulls during a thorough search of the property.

The pieces were sent to the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque for examination and possible identification.

Angela McManes was last seen in 2019 near the property where the human skulls and fragments were found Picture: Lea County Sheriff’s Office)
Some of the fragments are believed to possibly belong to Angela McManes, who vanished in 2019 and was last seen near the property, according to authorities.

Well I'd dare say her remains were likely not purchased if one ends up being her, far more likely murder.

Not sure why the others are thought to be but maybe one day I will figure that out and understand.

She looks familiar, I wonder if I've seen her missing case somewhere. Unsure.

 

[Guess Who]

This article seems to have a bit more info but in this account, the guy has not been arrested.

Up to 20 human skulls linked to missing woman after man 'threw bones from car'

A man allegedly flung human bones from a car, leading cops to discover as many as 20 skulls that have been linked to the cold case of a woman missing five years ago.

The grisly finding was made when a resident of Jal, New Mexico, told cops he had a ‘an unsettling encounter’ with a Cecil Villanueva, a man he offered a ride to.

Villanueva was ‘carrying two bags, made alarming statements and discarded objects from the vehicle, some of which appeared to be human bones’, stated the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook on Tuesday.

Authorities recovered the fragments from near a convenience store and close to where Villanueva was, and a pathologist determined that they belonged to humans.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has not said if Cecil Villanueva was arrested (Picture: Lea County Sheriff’s Office)
Villanueva was staying at a home on South 4th Street where human remains were rumored to have been found.

On November 6, detectives executed a search warrant and found more bone pieces including parts of a skull and a jawbone.

Three days later, in collaboration with a forensic anthropologist, investigators uncovered 10 to 20 human skulls during a thorough search of the property.

The pieces were sent to the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque for examination and possible identification.

Angela McManes was last seen in 2019 near the property where the human skulls and fragments were found Picture: Lea County Sheriff’s Office)
Some of the fragments are believed to possibly belong to Angela McManes, who vanished in 2019 and was last seen near the property, according to authorities.

No. It says that they won't say if he's been arrested or not.

"The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has not said if Cecil Villanueva was arrested"

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

https://www.yourbasin.com/news/lcso-human-remains-not-linked-to-2019-missing-person-case/

LCSO: Human remains not linked to 2019 missing person case​

The Lea County Sheriff’s Office has released some clarification involving the investigation regarding the human remains that were found in Jal, New Mexico last week. This comes as the story has “drawn significant public interest”.

LCSO said in a release on Thursday that Cecil Villanueva is currently in custody at the Lea County Detention Center for misdemeanor criminal trespass, a charge which is unrelated to this investigation.

The Office of the Medical Investigator collected several skull fragments from the property and forensic experts are working to confirm the total number and determine whether the remains represent full skulls or partial fragments.


As of Thursday, November 14, LCSO said there does not appear to be a link between the remains and that of Angela McManes, who went missing from Jal in 2019. The only association between McManes and this case was the proximity of her home and the location of where the skull fragments were located.

 

[RoundPeg]

No. It says that they won't say if he's been arrested or not.

"The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has not said if Cecil Villanueva was arrested"

An earlier article on page 1 said he was in jail on an unrelated charge.

 

[Tresir]

Maybe if they can get the story straight, we might be able to work out what is going on here.

It seems it is possible and legal to buy bones online. There is no link between the missing woman and the bones. The only connection is that the bones were near her home. What terrible reporting.

"As of Thursday, November 14, LCSO said there does not appear to be a link between the remains and that of Angela McManes, who went missing from Jal in 2019. The only association between McManes and this case was the proximity of her home and the location of where the skull fragments were located."

 

[Guess Who]

An earlier article on page 1 said he was in jail on an unrelated charge.

yes, but definitely arrested. That's why I was questioning their confidence in stating that no serial killer is out running around on the loose. It's the way they worded it that got me.

 

[RoundPeg]

yes, but definitely arrested. That's why I was questioning their confidence in stating that no serial killer is out running around on the loose. It's the way they worded it that got me.

The wording is awful.

 

[Guess Who]

The wording is awful.

But accidental or not? The way it is worded makes me think that they are saying they think IF there is a sk out there, no worries because we have the guy in jail already, but wording it in a way that some think it means that there is no sk at all. I just wish that they would talk in plain sentences. We also can't go by what LE states because they can and will lie to the public.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

This just keeps getting more and more ridiculous.
"Well, I said that cause it might have been true..."
Who knows what the truth is at this point.

https://www.krqe.com/news/investigations/rumor-and-coincidence-complicate-discovery-of-human-skulls-in-jal/

‘Rumor’ and ‘coincidence’ complicate discovery of human skulls in Jal​

A case involving the discovery of pieces of human skulls in a small New Mexico city has made national headlines, but now those in charge of the investigation are saying some of the initial claims that were made by the local sheriff’s office may not have been entirely accurate.

The Lea County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday that it found evidence of 10 to 20 human skulls at a property in Jal, which shares a border with Texas. The sheriff’s office initially said the case is being closely tied to the disappearance of a woman in 2019 whose last known residence was near the property where the human remains were found.

KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret spoke with the sheriff’s office on Thursday, where officials clarified that there is not a serial killer in town and that they no longer believe the bones found are connected to the missing woman’s case. The sheriff’s office said the remains were likely purchased legally online.

“We don’t feel that there’s any type of serial killer. We don’t feel that there’s any wrongdoing at this point,” said Lea County Undersheriff Michael Walker.

So how did investigators come to discover the remains and tie them to the possible disappearance of McManes? It started on Nov. 5, when deputies received a report from a resident who had an “unsettling encounter” with a man who he was giving a ride. According to investigators, the resident said the man, identified as Cecil Villanueva, allegedly made alarming statements and disposed of what appeared to be human bones out of the vehicle.

According to documents obtained by KRQE, the person who gave Villanueva a ride told a friend about the encounter. That friend then called the sheriff’s office because his mom went missing from the area in 2019.

“You know, it’s just very ironic and most likely just coincidental that she lived across the street from this home that had burned. Um, and the fact that, you know, this, this friend who picked this man up knew of the son and knew of the disappearance,” said Walker.

Officials learned that Villanueva was reportedly squatting at a home on South 4th Street in Jal and obtained a search warrant for the property. At the property, investigators found pieces of bone in a home that was previously involved in a fire.

KRQE News 13 asked the undersheriff why they sent out a news release with information that said the skulls may be linked to the woman’s disappearance. Walker responded, “Well, it’s better to give out the information that we know rather than to conceal something that may be in existence.”

Walker said officials have since learned that the man who lived in the home before it burned collected human skulls he reportedly purchased online. KRQE News 13 obtained the search warrant for the case, dated a week earlier, that indicated an investigator discussed rumors about the homeowner being in possession of human skulls with the Jal Police chief.

“The reason why we’re investigating it to this level is that there’s no proof to show that it came from an online distributor of these types of things. Uh, because they were also damaged in the fire,” Walker explained.

The undersheriff also said the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque has the bone fragments and is working to reconstruct the skulls. Walker said he is not sure when they will know if the remains really were bought online, if they are connected to a different missing persons case, or if they are ancient remains.

As for Villanueva, who was seen carrying a bag of bones before throwing them out of the vehicle, he has not been charged with anything in relation to this investigation. Deputies took him into custody on Tuesday on an unrelated trespassing charge at the Allsups, where the bone fragments were found.

 

[Guess Who]

This just keeps getting more and more ridiculous.
"Well, I said that cause it might have been true..."
Who knows what the truth is at this point.

https://www.krqe.com/news/investigations/rumor-and-coincidence-complicate-discovery-of-human-skulls-in-jal/

‘Rumor’ and ‘coincidence’ complicate discovery of human skulls in Jal​

A case involving the discovery of pieces of human skulls in a small New Mexico city has made national headlines, but now those in charge of the investigation are saying some of the initial claims that were made by the local sheriff’s office may not have been entirely accurate.

The Lea County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday that it found evidence of 10 to 20 human skulls at a property in Jal, which shares a border with Texas. The sheriff’s office initially said the case is being closely tied to the disappearance of a woman in 2019 whose last known residence was near the property where the human remains were found.

KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret spoke with the sheriff’s office on Thursday, where officials clarified that there is not a serial killer in town and that they no longer believe the bones found are connected to the missing woman’s case. The sheriff’s office said the remains were likely purchased legally online.

“We don’t feel that there’s any type of serial killer. We don’t feel that there’s any wrongdoing at this point,” said Lea County Undersheriff Michael Walker.

So how did investigators come to discover the remains and tie them to the possible disappearance of McManes? It started on Nov. 5, when deputies received a report from a resident who had an “unsettling encounter” with a man who he was giving a ride. According to investigators, the resident said the man, identified as Cecil Villanueva, allegedly made alarming statements and disposed of what appeared to be human bones out of the vehicle.

According to documents obtained by KRQE, the person who gave Villanueva a ride told a friend about the encounter. That friend then called the sheriff’s office because his mom went missing from the area in 2019.

“You know, it’s just very ironic and most likely just coincidental that she lived across the street from this home that had burned. Um, and the fact that, you know, this, this friend who picked this man up knew of the son and knew of the disappearance,” said Walker.

Officials learned that Villanueva was reportedly squatting at a home on South 4th Street in Jal and obtained a search warrant for the property. At the property, investigators found pieces of bone in a home that was previously involved in a fire.

KRQE News 13 asked the undersheriff why they sent out a news release with information that said the skulls may be linked to the woman’s disappearance. Walker responded, “Well, it’s better to give out the information that we know rather than to conceal something that may be in existence.”

Walker said officials have since learned that the man who lived in the home before it burned collected human skulls he reportedly purchased online. KRQE News 13 obtained the search warrant for the case, dated a week earlier, that indicated an investigator discussed rumors about the homeowner being in possession of human skulls with the Jal Police chief.

“The reason why we’re investigating it to this level is that there’s no proof to show that it came from an online distributor of these types of things. Uh, because they were also damaged in the fire,” Walker explained.

The undersheriff also said the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque has the bone fragments and is working to reconstruct the skulls. Walker said he is not sure when they will know if the remains really were bought online, if they are connected to a different missing persons case, or if they are ancient remains.

As for Villanueva, who was seen carrying a bag of bones before throwing them out of the vehicle, he has not been charged with anything in relation to this investigation. Deputies took him into custody on Tuesday on an unrelated trespassing charge at the Allsups, where the bone fragments were found.

So they did "mislead" the public after all.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It's been said repeatedly he is jailed, just not for anything relating to this.

And so they also cannot say although they do there is no serial killer on the loose as no one is jailed over any of thia or in relation to this.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I am still waiting to hear why people are thinking he was buying bones, etc.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Maybe if they can get the story straight, we might be able to work out what is going on here.

It seems it is possible and legal to buy bones online. There is no link between the missing woman and the bones. The only connection is that the bones were near her home. What terrible reporting.

"As of Thursday, November 14, LCSO said there does not appear to be a link between the remains and that of Angela McManes, who went missing from Jal in 2019. The only association between McManes and this case was the proximity of her home and the location of where the skull fragments were located."

No kidding.

There's news for ya.

Awful reporting.

I still I guess am lost as to why anyone thinks remains or bones were purchased. HOW did that thought come about? I'm serious. I missed it apparently.

As far as LE I'd say they are trying to keep the panic and interest down which is very typical. I don't agree with it but not unusual.

 

[Tresir]

So this guy was homeless and squatting in a burnt out home next to Allsups? And found a bunch of skulls. Ok now i am getting it I think LOL.

Anyhow i found the Allsups they mentioned on Street View of S 3rd Street. So we can see the neighbourhood where this bone throwing was taking place.

449 S 3rd St

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[GrandmaBear]

So they did "mislead" the public after all.

OMG and WTF. I am responding to the article and investigation and NOT to anyone here.

First of all, the "legal" purchase of bones, etc. So if I had kept all my lost loves one's bones I could sell them? That's sick in and of itself.

This sounds every messed up with sensatonal reporting and a Barney Fife (although he was smarter) police force, sheriff, undersheriff or whatever.

On the other hand, it sounds like something they are trying to tamp down and cover up.

Just happened to give a ride the person just happened to know of the missing woman, happened to start throwing bones out when he gave him a ride... UH HUH. Okay....

10 to 20 skulls as the thread title says...

There is a reason I don't generally even look at cases like this. My only interest was if this would account for a number of missing people.

Not sure what is going on here but I am not believing a word of anything at the moment.

This article explains the purchased bones, etc. so it comes from THEY said as much... I've been asking but to no avail. No surprise though.

I dont' care if you buy bones or skulls online (I mean I care I don't mean it that way), they STILL belonged to someone and came from somewhere.

Of course such should NOT be legal. And I'd like it explained why it is.

I've said it before and will again. Idiots run our world.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/lea-county/investigation-into-skulls-found-in-lea-county-concludes-with-no-legal-significance/

Investigation into skulls found in Lea County concludes with no ‘legal significance’​

The Lea County Sheriff’s Office said the Medical Investigator’s office concluded there was no “medical or legal significance” to the human remains found at a property in Jal, New Mexico.

According to LCSO, officials confirmed seven skulls were retrieved from the property, each with “ornamental pieces” embedded or carved into them. Investigators determined the decorative pieces came from out of the country, and the skulls were purchased online. LCSO said the remains will be cremated.

When the remains were first discovered in early November, authorities initially believed they were connected to the 2019 disappearance of Angela McManes. However, once it was discovered the remains were bought online, LCSO said there was no connection to the missing mother.

 

[GrandmaBear]

So now it is seven skulls and not 10 to 20.

I don't know if I am alone in this but human remains should not be being sold either. WTF is wrong with this world these days.

News was crap here and LE doesn't seem much better and not sure what to believe.

You know you can't even legally scatter cremains in many place but you cna buy human body part?????

I'm not falling for any scenarior right now as it seems to be very up in the air and perhaps hyped or going into cover up.

At the moment though I'd say thread title is inaccurate.

And where's the link to the one missing woman as SAID/promised?

I've not had a lot of respect for traditional news in decades but once in a great while someone gains bit of some but then it only worsens far faster by the the thousands of times over.
So i s the sensational title here true or not? Do we know?

 

[Tresir]

So now it is seven skulls and not 10 to 20.

I don't know if I am alone in this but human remains should not be being sold either. WTF is wrong with this world these days.

News was crap here and LE doesn't seem much better and not sure what to believe.

You know you can't even legally scatter cremains in many place but you cna buy human body part?????

I'm not falling for any scenarior right now as it seems to be very up in the air and perhaps hyped or going into cover up.

At the moment though I'd say thread title is inaccurate.

And where's the link to the one missing woman as SAID/promised?

I've not had a lot of respect for traditional news in decades but once in a great while someone gains bit of some but then it only worsens far faster by the the thousands of times over.
So i s the sensational title here true or not? Do we know?

So did they check the skulls DNA like they were intending to and how did they determine they were purchased? I thought they said that any paperwork was destroyed in the fire. I just don't believe any of this rubbish.