Authorities in New Mexico say they have found at least 10 human skulls in and around a property near the southeastern border that may include the remains of a woman missing since 2019.

Investigators found the remains while executing a search warrant for Cecil Villanueva, who was flagged to law enforcement by a local resident in the city of Jal. The Lea County Sheriff’s Office said the resident offered Villanueva a ride and had a “disturbing encounter” with him. in question.

The resident, who authorities are not naming, reported the interaction on Nov. 5. He said Villanueva was carrying two bags and “made alarming statements” while “throwing objects, some of which appeared to be human bones, from the vehicle.” The sheriff’s office said. During a subsequent search of the area, researchers uncovered bone fragments, and a pathologist later confirmed that they were in fact human bones. Forensic experts went on to determine that the findings included parts of a human skull and jawbone, according to the sheriff.

The sheriff said evidence of between 10 and 20 human skull remains was found at a property in Jal where Villanueva was staying, and that it was “connected to rumors of human remains.” An investigative team and a forensic anthropologist turned the remains over to the Medical Investigator’s Office in Albuquerque. The medical researcher will analyze and potentially identify these.

Law enforcement has so far released few details about the case, but they say it is “closely linked” to the disappearance of a woman named Angela McManes, who went missing in 2019 and lived near the property, and is currently under investigation.

“Authorities are working diligently to determine the connection between the remains and McManes and other possible victims,” ​​the sheriff’s office said. he said.

Authorities have not said whether Villanueva has been arrested in this case. Man apparently claims to have purchased skulls online, CBS News affiliate KOSA It was reported on Tuesday. At the time, Lea County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Walker said station officials were still working to determine whether the skulls they found were real human skulls.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact the Lea County Sheriff’s Office or the county’s local Crime Stoppers line. CBS News reached out to the sheriff’s office for more information but did not immediately hear back.

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