Woman Missing for Over 5 Years: Police Find At Least 10 Human Skulls at Her Home, Believing She May Have Been Killed

In the small town of Jal, New Mexico, a shocking discovery was made when at least ten human skulls were found inside a home. One of these skulls may be linked to the mysterious disappearance of a woman named Angela McManes, who has been missing since 2019..

It all began on November 5 when the Lea County Sheriff’s Office received an unsettling tip. A local resident had reported a strange encounter with a man they had given a ride to. The passenger, later identified as 28-year-old Cecil Villanueva, was acting suspiciously. He was carrying two bags and seemed agitated. During the ride, he made disturbing statements, and at one point, he tossed some objects out of the vehicle. To the driver’s horror, these items appeared to be human bones.

Concerned, the authorities quickly launched an investigation. Officers went to the area where the driver had reported the encounter and began searching. Nearby, they found bone fragments scattered near a convenience store. A pathologist examined the remains and confirmed that they were indeed human.

But the story didn’t end there. Investigators soon learned that Villanueva’s home, located on South 4th Street in Jal, had been the subject of rumors about human remains being stored there. On November 6, armed with a search warrant, the authorities went back to Villanueva’s house. Inside, they found more bone fragments, including parts of a skull and a jawbone. The find was disturbing, but it was only the beginning of a much larger investigation.

On November 9, a team of investigators returned for a more thorough search of the property. What they uncovered was even more shocking. They found evidence of 10 to 20 human skulls, hidden away in the home. The remains were carefully collected and transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque, where experts would attempt to identify them and determine their origins.

Villanueva was questioned by authorities, and he admitted that he had purchased the human remains online. However, no charges have been filed against him yet, and the investigation continues.

As the mystery deepened, the case took a darker turn. The investigation into the remains found in Villanueva’s home eventually linked the discovery to Angela McManes, a woman who had disappeared in 2019. McManes, who lived close to Villanueva’s home at the time of her disappearance, had not been seen or heard from for over five years. Her family was left in the dark about her whereabouts, with no answers to the painful questions they had been asking for years.

McManes’ sister, Kris Kelton, spoke to the media on November 13. She explained that while the family had hoped for answers, they still didn’t know much more than what had been shared publicly. “It’s still pending,” Kelton said. “We don’t want to jump to conclusions until we know for sure what happened.”

But Kelton also shared something that struck a nerve with many. She explained how McManes had left her home without her glasses, her diabetes medication, or any money. “She would never have left her kids willingly,” Kelton said with deep conviction. McManes was a mother of three, and Kelton made it clear that her sister was deeply devoted to her children. “If it came to her kids, she was going to defend them, right or wrong,” Kelton said. “She loved them more than anything.”

For the McManes family, the discovery of the remains has brought mixed emotions. They still hold out hope that they might learn the truth about what happened to Angela. But every new piece of information brings more pain and uncertainty.

As for Cecil Villanueva, he remains under investigation, but no charges have been filed. He claims he bought the remains online, but authorities are continuing to look into how the skulls ended up in his possession. Was he involved in Angela McManes’ disappearance, or is there more to the story than anyone realizes?

The case has left the town of Jal and the McManes family grappling with more questions than answers. If you know anything about the case or have information that could help, the Lea County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help. You can reach them at 575-396-3611 or contact Lea County Crimestoppers at 575-393-8005.