Law enforcement officials in Jal, New Mexico, are investigating the discovery of multiple human skulls, including one that authorities have connected to a woman’s disappearance in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lea County Sheriff’s Office said that a resident on Nov. 5 reported having an “unsettling encounter” while giving someone a ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The resident said that their passenger, who had two bags with him, “made alarming statements and discarded objects from the vehicle, some of which appeared to be human bones.”<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A search of the area turned up bone fragments, officials said, which a pathologist confirmed were human in origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Searches of a home where the man had been staying turned up additional bone fragments, including “evidence of 10-20 human skulls,” according to the sheriff’s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The remains are now being analyzed for potential identification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sheriff’s office said the case is “closely tied” to the 2019 disappearance of a woman named Angela McManes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her last known residence was near the man’s address, where many of the skull bone fragments were discovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Authorities are working diligently to determine the connection between the remains and McManes, as well as other possible victims,” the sheriff’s office said.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The man is not currently facing any charges, according to New Mexico ABC affiliate KOAT.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Law enforcement officials are working to determine the origin of the bones, which the man reportedly said he bought online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is being asked to contact law enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n