Human Skulls Found in New Mexico, No Link to 2019 Case

JAL, NM – The Lea County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the discovery of human skulls found in Jal, New Mexico. A press release stated these skulls could be connected to a 2019 missing persons case.

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

On November 5, a local resident reported seeing Cecil Villanueva carrying two bags and making comments while throwing away items from his vehicle. Some of the items thrown away appeared to be human bones. A search near a convenience store and Villanueva’s reported location found bone fragments, which were later confirmed to be human.

Villanueva had been staying at a property on South 4th Street, rumored to be keeping the human remains. On November 6, investigators executed a search warrant at the property and found more bone fragments, including parts of a skull and jawbone.

A forensic team returned on November 9 and discovered evidence of 10–20 human skulls. The remains have been sent to the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque for further analysis, stated the release.