Current:Home > ContactUp to 20 human skulls found in man's discarded bags, home in New Mexico -WealthRoots Academy
Up to 20 human skulls found in man's discarded bags, home in New Mexico
View
Date:2025-04-13 13:31:08
Up to 20 human skulls have been found in a home in New Mexico, and police believe that one of them may be connected to a woman’s disappearance more than five years ago.
The Lea County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that a resident offered a ride to a man later identified as Cecil Villanueva. During the ride, the resident said they had an “unsettling encounter” with Villanueva, police said.
Police say that Villanueva had been carrying two bags with him and “made alarming statements and discarded objects from the vehicle, some of which appeared to be human bones."
When police searched the area where they say Villanueva discarded the bags, they found bone fragments, which a pathologist confirmed came from a human, the sheriff's office said. Police also searched a home where Villanueva had been staying in Jal, where police say they found more bone fragments.
Among them, “evidence of 10-20 human skulls,” the sheriff’s office said.
Ties to a missing persons case
Police say the investigation is closely tied with the disappearance of Angela McManes, who has been missing since 2019. According to police, McManes's last known residence was near Villanueva’s address.
"Authorities are working diligently to determine the connection between the remains and McManes, as well as other possible victims," they said.
Police say this is still an active and ongoing investigation, and are asking anyone with information to contact the Lea County Sheriff’s Office at 575-396-3611 or Lea County Crimestoppers at 575-393-8005.
USA TODAY could not identify an attorney for Villanueva.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
veryGood! (9319)
Related
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- French media say a teacher was killed and others injured in a rare school stabbing
- Colorado police officer convicted in 2019 death of Elijah McClain; ex-officer acquitted
- Here's Proof Taylor Swift Is Already Bonding With Travis Kelce's Dad
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Blinken says US exploring all options to bring Americans taken by Hamas home
- Get $160 Worth of Sunday Riley Brightening Skincare Products for Just $88
- Thousands of Israelis return home to answer call for military reserve duty
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- Why do people get ink on Friday the 13th? How the day became lucky for the tattoo industry
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Trial date set for Memphis man accused of raping a woman a year before jogger’s killing
- 7 elementary school students injured after North Carolina school bus veers off highway, hits building
- Colorado police officer convicted in 2019 death of Elijah McClain; ex-officer acquitted
- Sam Taylor
- America can't resist fast fashion. Shein, with all its issues, is tailored for it
- Seth Rogen's Wife Lauren Miller Rogen Shares She Had Brain Aneurysm Removed
- 'Irth' hospital review app aims to take the bias out of giving birth
Recommendation
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
Natalia Bryant Shares How She's Honoring Dad Kobe Bryant's Legacy With Mamba Mentality
Visitors are scrambling to leave Israel and Gaza as the fighting rages
Jury convicts one officer in connection with Elijah McClain's death
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
North Korea raises specter of nuclear strike over US aircraft carrier’s arrival in South Korea
Thousands of Israelis return home to answer call for military reserve duty
Microsoft’s bid for Activision gets UK approval. It removes the last hurdle to the gaming deal